Former President Joe Biden returned to Syracuse University Tuesday for the unveiling of his portrait, which will be displayed in the law school's Law Library Reading Room. The event drew attention for an offhand remark Biden made while addressing the school's leadership.
Video footage shows Biden at the podium calling out to a member of the audience before making the comparison. 'I always want to turn around to one guy and say.. "Barack what are you doing?"' Biden said, prompting laughter from the audience. He then gestured for Jeffrey M. Scruggs, chairman of the school's Board of Trustees, to join him on stage.
'I feel like he should be standing on the right and I should be standing on the left,' Biden said as Scruggs laughed along with the audience. The moment occurred during what was otherwise a personal and reflective speech about Biden's career, his family, and his legacy.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics seized on the moment as further evidence of Biden's age-related verbal slips. Commentators on social media described the incident as typical of what they characterize as a pattern of confusing names and making awkward comparisons. Some critics argued that such moments raise questions about Biden's acuity, despite his having left office over a year ago.
The moment added fuel to ongoing debates about how Biden's age was discussed during his presidency. Critics noted that media coverage of Biden's verbal gaffes during his term was frequently dismissed by defenders as normal politician behavior, while they argue similar moments from other figures receive harsher scrutiny.
What the Left Is Saying
Defenders of the former president characterized the moment as a harmless joke rather than evidence of cognitive decline. Supporters noted that Biden has long been known for his casual, off-the-cuff speaking style and that the comment was clearly intended as humor. Some progressive commentators argued that coverage of such moments disproportionately scrutinizes older public figures while similar behavior from younger politicians goes unremarked upon.
Biden's speech itself focused on themes of dignity, equality and democracy. He discussed his path from Syracuse Law student to public service, recounting moments of national upheaval and personal tragedy. He highlighted his late son Beau's legacy and expressed hope that future generations would remember him for his fight for democracy.
What the Numbers Show
This is not Biden's first widely reported verbal slip involving name confusion. During his presidency, several similar incidents drew media attention, including moments where Biden appeared to confuse names or dates. Syracuse University was Biden's alma mater, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1968 before beginning his political career.
Public polling conducted during Biden's term showed that a significant portion of voters—though divided along partisan lines—expressed concerns about his age and mental fitness for the presidency. A 2023 Quinnipiac poll found 62% of Americans thought Biden was too old to serve effectively as president, while 36% disagreed. Among Democrats, 45% expressed age-related concerns in a separate Washington Post-ABC News poll.
The Bottom Line
The portrait unveiling at Syracuse Law School was intended as a celebration of Biden's career and legacy. Instead, the moment became another data point in ongoing political debates about age, gaffes, and how public figures are scrutinized. The incident is unlikely to affect Biden's post-presidency status but continues to fuel partisan disagreements over how such moments should be interpreted. Future coverage of Biden's public appearances will likely continue to attract attention from both critics and defenders, reflecting broader national conversations about aging in leadership roles.