Biden Jokingly Called Military Personnel "Stupid Bastards"
The Claim
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden called members of the U.S. Armed Forces “stupid bastards.”
News posted on
Emerging story
Many social media recently shared a clip of former Vice President Joe Biden speaking to a gathering of military personnel. This clip was picked out of this speech from 2016, during the Obama Administration.
Biden made a statement complimenting his own judgement in his choice of wife, and his promotion of an air force officer (Lieutenant Johnson), before saying: “Clap for that you stupid bastards, come on now. Man you all are a dull bunch, must be slow here man.”
Some on social media and on conservative news-outlets have used this clip as a counter to criticisms levied against President Trump for allegedly calling wounded soldiers “losers.”
Misbar’s Analysis
The Vice President seems to have been making a joke in the manner of gruff military tradition, but its reception was mixed both then and now. Some officers in the background can be seen grinning, while others are stone-faced. The video is below.
Likewise, some have pointed out that Biden was just joking, and others have countered that the joke was not funny to begin with.
Joe Biden himself has never served in the military, but both his sons (Hunter Biden and the late Beau Biden) have served.
