President Joe Biden has become the subject of online trolling after a photo emerged of him playfully pretending to bite a baby dressed in a chicken costume during a Halloween event at the White House. The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, as part of the annual trick-or-treat celebration. Biden also engaged in lighthearted banter with the children’s parents, but the playful moment has sparked mixed reactions online.
Social Media Backlash to Joe Biden
The photo of Biden playfully nibbling on the baby’s costume, along with another instance where he pretended to nibble on a second child’s leg, quickly went viral. While some found the moment humorous, many criticized the president’s actions as odd or inappropriate.
- “That’s one of the most creepy photos I’ve ever seen,” commented one user on X.
- Another wrote, “KEEP YOUR GRUBBY HAND, TEETH AND NOSE AWAY from CHILDREN.”
- Some went further, calling Biden “a freak” and accusing him of “pedo-like behavior.”
This is not the first time Biden’s interactions have drawn criticism. In 2019, Biden faced backlash after two women publicly shared their discomfort over his overly affectionate behavior. At the time, Biden released a video promising to respect personal boundaries and adjust his behavior.
Donald Trump’s Troll Tactics
The uproar comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump’s own viral moment, where he appeared in Green Bay, Wisconsin, driving a garbage truck and wearing an orange safety vest to mock Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s stunt was a response to Biden’s alleged remarks describing certain Republican supporters as “garbage.”
Joe Biden’s Clarification on “Garbage” Comments
In a separate controversy, Biden addressed criticism over his remarks about Trump supporters. During a video appearance with the nonprofit Voto Latino, Biden clarified:
“Earlier today, I called the hateful remarks about Puerto Rico made by Trump’s supporters at his Madison Square Garden event garbage. That is the best word I can use to describe them. It is inhumane that he demonizes Latinos.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later reiterated that Biden did not view Trump’s supporters as “garbage,” emphasizing his focus was on condemning hateful rhetoric.
Mixed Reactions Persist
While Biden’s playful moment was intended as lighthearted, it has added fuel to ongoing debates about his behavior and public image. The White House has not commented on the viral photos of Biden with the children at the Halloween event.
With both Biden and Trump dominating headlines for their antics, the race to the 2024 presidential election remains as polarizing as ever.