President Joe Biden had a gaffe during his State of the Union speech amid the crisis in Ukraine, confusing the nation facing invasion with Iran.
Biden, at 79 the oldest man ever elected to the presidency in the United States, was speaking about the ongoing Russian invasion when he erred.
‘Putin may circle Kiev with tanks, but he’ll never gain the hearts and souls of the Iranian people,’ Biden said.
Social media was afire with reaction at the blunder, with ‘Iranians’ trending after the speech.
Florida Representative Matt Gaetz wrote that everyone must have thought it was from a popular conservative satire site: ‘BREAKING: Biden announces unconventional plan to win the hearts and souls of Iranian people in Kyiv…Not from @TheBabylonBee.’
Former Trump advisor Sebastian Gorka wrote: ‘Biden just said ‘Kiev and the Iranian people’ and added ‘#SenilePresident.’
Another user added: ‘Biden: ‘Putin will never gain the hearts and minds of the Iranian people!’ What the hell is he talking about ?!’
Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin wrote: ‘Yes, Biden said Iranian when he met Ukrainian. Let’s not make a thing of it.’
Biden warned Russia that President Vladimir Putin ‘has no idea what’s coming’ as he opened his first State of the Union address by accusing the Russian leader of ‘underestimating’ western allies and Ukrainian people and announced the closure of U.S. air space to all Russian flights.
‘Six days ago, Russia’s Vlaidmir Putin sought to shake the very foundation of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated,’ Biden said with Vice President Kamala Harris sitting behind his right shoulder and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on his left.
‘He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over,’ Biden continued of Putin. ‘Instead, he [was] met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or expected – he met the Ukrainian people.’
Biden spent the first 12 minutes of his address to the nation from Congress speaking about Russia and their invasion of Ukraine – as well as the U.S. response.
‘He has no idea what’s coming,’ Biden warned in a deviation from the prepared script that was sent out ahead of the remarks.
The remarks came as new blasts rocked Kyiv Tuesday night after Russia was slammed as ‘barbaric’ for bombing a TV tower near the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial in Ukraine’s capital on the site of one of the biggest single massacres of Jews during the Holocaust.
‘We in the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people. Throughout our history, we’ve learned this lesson – When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos, they keep moving.’
Several lawmakers showed their solidarity with Ukraine by wearing the colors of their flag – blue and yellow – while others wore brightly colored pins and scarfs as Ukraine continues to face a full-scale attack from Russia.
‘Along with twenty-seven members of the European Union including France, Germany, Italy, as well as countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and many others, even Switzerland are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine,’ Biden listed.
‘Putin is now isolated from the world more than he has ever been,’ the president added.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova attended as guest to first lady Jill Biden and received a several-seconds standing ovation from members of Congress and all others in attendance.
‘She’s bright, she’s strong, she’s resolved,’ Biden said in the midst of the clapping.
Many in the first lady’s visitor box were wielding mini Ukrainian flags.
The White House said: ‘In a sign of support for the Ukrainian people, the FLOTUS has an embroidered appliqué of a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, sewn to the sleeve of her dress near her wrist.’
President Joe Biden said during his first State of the Union on Tuesday evening that President Vladimir Putin is ‘more isolated than ever’ and told Russian oligarchs ‘we’re coming for you’ as Moscow continues its attack on Kyiv. Pictured behind the president are Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
The Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova (pictured left) attended the State of the Union as guest to first lady Jill Biden holding a Ukrainian flag
‘She’s bright, she’s strong, she’s resolved,’ Biden said in the midst of several seconds of standing ovation for Markarova. Pictured: Jill Biden embraces Markarova on Tuesday evening
Many lawmakers wore bright yellow and blue to show their solidarity with Ukraine. Pictured Center: Ukrainian-born Representative Victoria Spartz speaks with Steve Scalise (left) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (right)
Democratic lawmakers take a selfie in their pro-Ukraine garb. From L-R: Lisa Blunt Rochester, Terri Sewell, Brenda Lawrence and Hakeem Jeffries standing behind them
Biden announced during his remarks that the U.S. would be closing its airspace to all Russian flights and air craft
