Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s campaign has scrambled to confirm a viral video which has recently surfaced of the former Vice-President supposedly calling US troops “stupid bastards” and “a dull bunch” during a trip overseas, and is defending the remarks as having been made in jest, reported The Daily Beast.
Joe Biden called a crowd of military personnel “stupid bastards.”
— JT Lewis (@thejtlewis) September 25, 2020
pic.twitter.com/z7HbSOaqrf
“Vice-President Biden was jokingly encouraging the audience to clap for an airwoman on the stage, and a number of service members can be seen laughing and smiling at the comment. Seconds before, he praised them for the incredible sacrifices [they] make for our country,”” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates was quoted as saying in a statement.
‘A Dull Bunch’
The Democratic presidential hopeful made the controversial remarks during a speech in Abu Dhabi on 7 March 2016 while he was Vice-President to President Barack Obama.
Biden said at the time that, during his many trips to the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan he regretted that “folks back home” don't fully understand the troops’ “sacrifice for the country,” according to the official transcript, archived in the White House’s Office of the Vice-President.
Biden then apparently made an attempt to crack some jokes, quipping:
“And I want you to know notwithstanding what you may hear about me, I have incredibly good judgment. One, I married Jill. And two, I appointed Johnson to the academy. I just want you to know that. Clap for that, you stupid bastards. Come on, man. Man, you are a dull bunch. Must be slow here, man. I don't know,” he said.
Despite footage of Biden’s speech, including the “stupid bastards” remarks, having been available on YouTube since 2017, it resurfaced late on 25 September, immediately generating a barrage of comments, with netizens heatedly arguing whether the tape was “doctored” and a “fake”.
This is a doctored video. A child could notice it. Going low again I see.
— Dustin Hewett (@DustinHewett) September 25, 2020
If it’s doctored, why is the Biden team not denying it? https://t.co/he7dxa0L7w
— BeckySH (@beckysh777) September 25, 2020
Speech was in March 2016 and he got a standing ovation at the end. Move along now.
— 🚀 Jon Hogg (@ItsHogg) September 26, 2020
Fake
— LCH (@JohnandGloria) September 25, 2020
It was clearly made in jest in which the troops laughed and applauded him afterwards. It’s hard to understand that when the video cuts right off(intentionally) right before that.
— Bekah (@rebekahkfreitas) September 26, 2020
If you knew anything about our troops then you’d know this is how they talk to one another.
— Bekah (@rebekahkfreitas) September 26, 2020
They’d rather you speak direct to them than behind their backs like Trump does.
Biden critics insisted the footage clearly showed the current Democratic presidential candidate being “denigrating”.
Biden’s ego and his mouth are his weak spots!
— Rick Sutter (@RSutter) September 25, 2020
Cannot imagine anyone voting for him with this stuff. He's seriously glitching. 🤖
— RedEekQMamma⚡☀️🇺🇸🌎💚 (@fox_wisdom) September 25, 2020
And there it is. Just as I predicted when this first came to light.
— USCG Hawkeye Metalhead (@PsychoMetalHed) September 26, 2020
They'll blow it off & excuse it as a "joke". 🙄
You never give @realDonaldTrump that benefit, & he is more deserving!
We're not giving hiden' biden that benefit.
Fabulous judgement Joe. pic.twitter.com/y76PLdkd4w
— Blacklamb (@blaklamb) September 26, 2020
Incredible, the press should pick this up and report it. So disrespectful to our troops.
— Marcos (@Tbam1977) September 25, 2020
If this was @realDonaldTrump the #MSM would be blasting it 24/7 non stop.
— RMH (@Psykotiq325) September 25, 2020
