On the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Joe Biden cracked a joke on stage at the ceremony in Alaska’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Monday, raising the ire of many across social media.
“Governor Dunleavy, it’s good to see you,” Biden said. “The governor and I have something in common, we’re both from Scranton, Pennsylvania. I wish I had him playing on my high school ball club when I was playing. I could’ve been an All-American having you in front of me.”
The joke drew criticism from many across the political spectrum. GOP rapid response director Jake Schneider commented, “Gross. He can’t not make it about himself, can he?” Podcast host and former NBC sports reporter Michele Tafoya wrote, “OMG. @POTUS begins his 9/11 speech talking about how he could have been an All-American…” RedState writer Bonchie reported, “Joe Biden cracks jokes about being an all-American football player on the anniversary of 9/11.” The Federalist columnist Eddie Scarry commented, “I just assume anymore that any anecdote is fabricated and that nobody cares that he fakes all of his efforts to ‘connect’ with an audience.” Josh Hawley communications director Abigail Marone wrote sarcastically, “Somber and respectful.”
Biden had already drawn criticism earlier for becoming the first U.S. president in 22 years to neither spend the day at an attack site nor the White House. Matt Bocchi, the son of 9/11 victim John Bocchi, said, “If our leader is so willing to not show up to the memorial service, it’s showing the message that Americans have forgotten and that it’s OK to forget. Unfortunately for myself and for all the other families and those joining with us this morning, we have no way of forgetting.”
Gross. He can’t not make it about himself, can he? https://t.co/eMApge0eTm
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) September 11, 2023
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Donald Arias, who lost his brother Adam during the attacks, said prior to Biden’s speech that he preferred Biden “stay away anyway.” He added, “We will be spared one of his stories of how he can relate, like he did with the people of Lahaina, how he can relate because of a kitchen fire. We can do without that.” Instead of the president, Vice President Kamala Harris was among the elected officials attending events at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City.
As the nation remembers a day that changed America forever, Biden’s light-hearted attitude has once again become a source of contention for the president. It remains to be seen if Biden will address or apologize for the remarks, or if he will brush them off and move on. But as the U.S. remembers the heroics and sacrifice that occurred on 9/11, it serves as a reminder that even the most sacred ceremonies must be treated with respect and solemnity.
