In a moment that could have been ripped from a political satire, President Joe Biden managed to elevate Vladimir Putin to an unexpected new role: President of Ukraine.
At a NATO summit event meant to showcase solidarity with Ukraine (and where Biden had an opportunity to put American fears about his mental acuity to rest), he inadvertently promoted Russia's strongman, calling for "President of Ukraine Putin" to take the stage. Realizing his gaffe, Biden quickly course-corrected: "Putin? We're going to defeat Putin. I'm so focused on defeating Putin." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the intended invitee, quipped back with a grin, "I'm better than him."
But the verbal rollercoaster didn't stop there. In a press conference shortly after, Biden pulled another switcheroo, this time upgrading his 2024 rival Donald Trump to "Vice President Trump." The former president, never one to miss a chance at political theater, gleefully tweeted, "Good job, Joe."
These linguistic somersaults have reignited the fiery debate over Biden's fitness for office. The 81-year-old president finds himself increasingly under siege, with calls for his political retirement growing louder - even from within his own Democratic ranks.
Biden, however, isn't going down without a fight. "I'm not staying for my legacy, but to complete the job I started," he declared, bristling at suggestions of cognitive decline. "The only thing age does is give more wisdom."
As the 2024 election looms, Biden's verbal slip-ups have become a political Rorschach test. To supporters, they're mere blips in an otherwise competent presidency. To critics, they're red flags signaling it's time for a changing of the guard.
One thing's for certain: in the high-stakes world of international diplomacy and cutthroat politics, a slip of the tongue can speak volumes. And right now, all ears are tuned to Biden's next words - whatever they might be.
* Kann News contributed to this article.