President Joe Biden’s unpopularity is palpable not only in polling results but also in the reception he receives during public appearances.
During his remarks alongside Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Sunday, he touted the relationship between the two nations but clearly did not receive the response he anticipated.
“We celebrate the bonds of our friendship today connecting millions of Irish Americans and American people,” he told a crowd gathered at the White House. “We celebrate the friendship between the two nations — one that has shaped our past, strengthened our present and inspires our future.”
His St. Patrick’s Day remarks went on to address not only the diplomatic but also economic ties between the U.S. and Ireland.
“Ireland now is one of the top 10 investors in the United States economy,” the president said. “And our countries stand proudly for liberty and against tyranny. We stand together and oppose Russia’s brutal war of aggression in Ukraine.”
When audience members did not respond with what Biden deemed sufficient appreciation for his comments, he added: “You can clap for that, please.”
The exchange between Biden and the crowd was reminiscent of an incident during the 2016 GOP presidential primary race that was widely seen as the low point of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s failed White House bid.
Oh no! Biden just had a Jen Bush moment “you can clap for that, please” 😂😂🤦♀️ https://t.co/j8BnlQ67K2
— 🌷🦋🌷Just me👀Cassie💎🤍💎 (@browneyegirl400) March 17, 2024
During a town hall event in February 2016, Bush touted himself as someone who would “be a lot quieter” as president than other candidates, though it was the audience who was quiet when he reached the end of his thoughts.
After an awkward moment of silence from attendees, he meekly requested: “Please clap.”
First lady Jill Biden has also experienced her share of lackluster receptions to public remarks, including in a speech she delivered less than a year ago at the Reagan Institute
Summit on Education in D.C. that elicited similar comparisons to the Bush incident.
“I’ve visited red states and blue states and I’ve found that the common values that unite us are deeper than our divisions,” she said.
When the audience failed to react with audible approval, she added: “I thought you might clap for that.”
