During a campaign stop in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, US Democratic presidential candieate Joe Biden caused cringe among social media users after spotting a group of young girls and noting that he would "want to see them dancing when they're four years older".
"The good news is, for me, I'm here. The bad news for you is I'm coming back", Biden said in his speech, standing in front of an audience in the Little Haiti Cultural Center. "And I want to see these beautiful young ladies- I want to see them dancing when they're four years older too".
"'The bad news is' creepy uncle Joe strikes again", one user said, adding "Yikes" after posting a video that showed a group of the girls Biden was referring to.
These are the young girls that Biden wants to see dance in 4 years. Yikes pic.twitter.com/Gz6F8A1rka
— Mythinformed (@MythinformedMKE) October 5, 2020
The footage immediately went viral, with users denouncing Biden for having "no filter" and calling him "detestable".
Dude is hella weird.. 🤦♂️ how does he manage to say something ridiculous every time he leaves the basement?
— Mack (@xmackaveli) October 6, 2020
Watch again. They’re right next to the poles he wants them dancing on.
— Gen-X Voice (@ProveItSo) October 6, 2020
Yeah he’s back to being creepy
— Lee Enfield (@Series3Scott) October 6, 2020
Several users suggested that the Democratic candidate might be enjoying the Netflix film "Cuties", involving underage girls doing provocative dancing that drew intense backlash on social media.
I guess he just finished watching Cuties
— dan hale (@DanHale74) October 6, 2020
Some people grinned at the circles on the ground, apparently put there to practise social distancing.
@maddow look how safe these people are, except the little girls Joe is creeping on.
— Jeff (@lindy0208) October 6, 2020
Others, however, tried to protect Biden, assuming that he did not mean anything sexual and only referred to his potential four-year term as US president.
The suggestions were echoed by the Biden campaign, which, according to Fox News, provided a link to Article II of the US Constitution and highlighted, "He shall hold his Office during the Term of Four Years" when asked for comments.
This isn’t sexual at all. He’s saying he wants them to join the non inappropriate group performance, when it comes around next which is in 4 years. Yah turned this into something it wasn’t.
— DeAndra_Davis (@Dee_Davis04) October 6, 2020
clearly Biden was talking about running again in four years
— oTTo & Nairb (@NairbOtto) October 7, 2020
Unlike his opponent he is not so creepy that he has been accused of sleeping with a 13-year-old
Now that is creepyhttps://t.co/9U3HbZHZLD
Biden is famous for verbal gaffes, and this is not the first time his remarks have gone viral. Both in his live speeches and in recorded videos, he has said things that were later mocked, denounced or both. He is particularly criticised for sometimes "inappropriately sniffing and touching" women or children around him.
