President Biden mistakenly implied the death of his “friend,” Gabby Giffords, during a speech at the Gila River Indian Community.
The New York Post reported that while attending an event hosted by the Gila River Indian Community located south of Phoenix, Arizona, President Biden seemed to suggest that Giffords was dead.
The president's speech initially featured what seemed to be a confounding implication about Gabby Giffords, a former Congresswoman and the wife of Senator Mark Kelly.
In addressing the audience, the president said, “Thank you to Sen. Mark Kelly, a great friend — who also was married to an incredible woman who was my friend,” leading some to mistakenly think he was speaking of Giffords in the past tense.
During the speech, President Biden struggled with the teleprompter exacerbated by the bright Arizona sunlight.
He noted this challenge by removing his sunglasses, stating, “I’m putting these glasses on because I’m having trouble seeing this.” This practical difficulty briefly interrupted his flow but he continued with his address.
Biden also stumbled over the name of the host community. He made a couple of attempts before finally getting it right, “Gov, thank you for that introduction. And to the Gila Indian River Community — the Gila… the Gila … nothing wrong with me,” he corrected, before finally stating, “The Gila River Indian Community, [thank you] for welcoming me today.”
Despite these hiccups, Biden managed to convey his main messages, including a significant formal apology to the Native American community for historical injustices.
Perhaps the most poignant part of his visit was his address regarding the controversial U.S. assimilation boarding schools for Native American children. Biden expressed a heartfelt apology, acknowledging the long-delayed government response to past policies.
“I formally apologize, as president of the United States of America, for what we did,” Biden announced solemnly.
He emphasized the overdue nature of this acknowledgment, adding, “It’s long, long, long overdue. Quite frankly, there’s no excuse that this apology took 50 years.”
This apology was a core element of his speech, overshadowed momentarily by the verbal missteps regarding Giffords and the logistical issues posed by the teleprompter.
The community's response to Biden’s speech was mixed, with some appreciating the acknowledgment of past wrongs against Native Americans, while others were distracted by the errors involving Giffords and technical difficulties.
Biden’s misstatement concerning Giffords, who was gravely injured in a shooting incident in January 2011 and later resigned from Congress, was especially notable given her high-profile advocacy for gun control and her public recovery journey.
Throughout his time on stage, Biden also reiterated his connection to his audience and his personal introductions, “I’m Joe Biden and I’m Jill Biden’s husband,” he presented himself, highlighting his familiar personable style amidst the formal apology and ensuing controversies.
The visit to the Gila River Indian Community underscored ongoing efforts by the Biden administration to address historical and current issues affecting Native American communities, with a clear focus on healing and policy advocacy.
In addition to the formal apology, the speech highlighted ongoing government initiatives aimed at bettering relations with Native American tribes and rectifying past policy failures, reflecting Biden's broader agenda toward inclusivity and reconciliation.