President Joe Biden faced his first solo press conference with the White House press corps on Thursday, hoping to reassure supporters that he still has the energy and presence to be an effective leader. However, the 81-year-old politician made at least two notable gaffes, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" and mistakenly calling Vice President Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump." Despite these slip-ups, Biden remained adamant about his plans to stay in the race and continue his work to preserve NATO and lead the country for another term.
Biden's First Solo Press Conference: Stumbles Marred by Assurances of Stamina
During his first solo press conference on Thursday, President Joe Biden addressed both domestic and international issues while attempting to quell concerns about his age and fitness for office.
The Conference
The conference began with Biden expressing confidence in his abilities and energy level. However, several notable gaffes marred the event:
Despite these slip-ups, Biden remained steadfast in his resolve to stay in the race and continue his work. He emphasized the importance of preserving NATO and leading the country for another term.
Background
Biden's age has been a topic of discussion since he became the oldest person ever elected to the U.S. presidency. Concerns arose after former President Donald Trump frequently made baseless accusations about Biden's mental fitness.
In 2021, Biden underwent a routine cognitive exam that found him to be "vigorous and fit" for office. However, some skeptics have questioned the validity of the results.
Top 5 FAQs
1. How old is Joe Biden? Biden is 81 years old.
2. What were the gaffes he made during his press conference? Biden referred to Zelenskyy as "President Putin" and Harris as "Vice President Trump."
3. Has Biden's age affected his performance as president? There is no consensus on this issue. Some critics believe his age has impaired his performance, while his supporters maintain that he remains fully capable.
4. Is Biden planning to run for reelection in 2024? Biden has not officially announced whether he intends to run for a second term. However, he has indicated that he is likely to do so.
5. What were Biden's main policy positions outlined during his press conference? Biden emphasized his commitment to preserving NATO, leading the country through the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing climate change, and restoring the economy.
The results for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls are in, with the Shiv Sena-NCP alliance and the JMM facing a stiff challenge from the BJP. Despite facing internal divisions, the Maha Yuti alliance in Maharashtra looks set to secure a victory. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM, bolstered by its I.N.D.I.A. allies, is expected to retain power. Stay updated with live updates and coverage on Deccan Herald and make sure to follow their Whatsapp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram channels for more news.
In the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress faced a major defeat in direct contests with the BJP, winning only 10 out of 75 seats. This is a significant decline from their performance in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The BJP's average vote share per seat contested rose by 6 percentage points, while the Congress saw a decline of 14 percentage points. In some key constituencies, the Congress finished in fourth place, highlighting the immediate need for the party to reassess its strategies and connect with the voting public.
In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance has emerged victorious in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing a record-breaking 234 out of 288 seats. With the BJP coming out as the single largest party, winning 132 seats on its own, all eyes are now on who will be the Chief Minister of the state. The ruling alliance's stunning win has left Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar's NCP far behind, with only 57 and 10 seats respectively. As celebrations break out in the winning camps, the people of Maharashtra eagerly await the next CM's announcement.
The INDI Alliance, led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) Hemant Soren, secured a clear victory with 56 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024. The alliance's biggest partner, JMM, bagged 34 seats while Congress and RJD received 16 and 4 seats respectively. On the other hand, BJP-led NDA fell short with only 24 out of 81 assembly seats, out of which BJP alone won 21. The Jharkhand assembly elections were held in two phases and a total of 1,211 candidates were in the electoral race.
Despite initial confidence in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance's victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut retracts statement and claims the results are not acceptable. This comes as the alliance struggles to maintain their lead against the MahaYuti alliance. In response, BJP Minister Chandrakant Patil extends an invitation to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to rejoin the MahaYuti, stating their comfortable position in forming the next government. The decision for the next chief minister will be made by the top leadership of the BJP and MahaYuti.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance is set for their third straight term in Maharashtra as they lead with 234 seats. PM Modi has praised their victory, while CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Ajit Pawar express their gratitude to the people. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is leading with 56 seats in Jharkhand, with JMM's Hemant and Kalpana Soren emerging as winners. In Maharashtra, BJP has won 125 seats, Shiv Sena has won 55, and NCP has won 40, while in Jharkhand, the BJP has won 24. Despite some internal disputes, the alliance has come out victorious with a strong lead in both states.
Aaditya and Amit Thackeray, political cousins in Maharashtra, have had varied outcomes in the latest assembly elections. While Aaditya managed to win a second term with thanks to his uncle's influence, Amit lost out on his maiden polls and can attribute some of the loss to his own uncle's decision. This highlights the complicated family politics at play in India and the impact it has on election results. The strongholds of Worli and Mahim saw three-way contests, with the MNS's entry proving to be a game-changer. The close margins highlight that a direct face-off between Aaditya and rival Milind Deora or between Mahesh Sawant and Eknath Shinde Sena can produce different results.
In a historic victory, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his party registered a stunning win in the Jharkhand Assembly Elections, securing 56 out of the 81 seats. Their landslide victory was attributed to the popularity of schemes like Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana, which provided financial assistance to rural women voters. Soren, who faced corruption charges and was released on bail, has vowed to transform the state into a "golden Jharkhand" and continue with the coalition government.
The Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024 are in, and the incumbent Mahayuti alliance, led by Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, is poised for another victory. With a lead over the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, the Mahayuti looks set for a landslide win. Follow WION's website for the latest coverage on the election, and read on to find out what Prime Minister Modi has to say about the NDA's victory.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Priyanka Gandhi secured a convincing victory in the Wayanad constituency, surpassing her brother Rahul Gandhi's victory margin in the same seat earlier that year. Despite attempts by rivals to discredit Rahul, Priyanka's victory felt like an "annihilation" for them. This victory shows the unwavering support for the Gandhi family in Wayanad and their dominance in Indian politics.