Cringe-worthy moment Joe Biden is seconds from disastrous slip up in NATO speech
The 81-year-old President appeared to struggle to understand what he should say from the teleprompter.
President Joe Biden almost made a disastrous slip-up during a speech to mark 75 years of NATO when he appeared to read out stage directions on a teleprompter.
The leader of the free world, who was born before NATO was founded, was preparing to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
But as the 81-year-old Democrat politician stared at the teleprompter he uttered the words "ask the military aide", seemingly reading out stage instructions rather than his speech.
The gaffe-prone President then attempted to right himself and said "ask the military aide", before he welcomed Stoltenberg, NATO's highest-ranking official, to the stage.
Applause rang out in the auditorium saving the elderly statesman from further blushes as he hung the gong around the neck of Mr Stoltenberg.
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Mr Biden has been straining to persuade voters and donors in the US that he’s ready for reelection after a stumbling debate performance against former President Trump.
He was forced to issue a defiant letter to the Democrat Party in recent weeks stating he will not step down despite concerns over his health and age.
Speaking at the event to mark 75 years of NATO, he said: “Today, NATO is more powerful than ever, 32 nations strong.
”It’s good we’re stronger than ever because this moment in history calls for our collective strength," he declared head up and voice strong."
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The summit comes at trying moment for Biden's presidency. Several Democratic House members have publicly called on him to quit his campaign.
Other lawmakers in private conversations have urged him to step aside, and several high-profile donors have raised concerns about his viability in the race against Mr Trump.
Biden has no shortage of difficult substantive conversations ahead about global security over the course of the three-day NATO summit.
But the White House is also looking to display to America that he has the stamina for crowded days and evenings of formal meetings, sideline chats with world leaders, long diplomatic dinners and receptions, and a summit-ending press conference.
