Biden Gaffes While Criticizing Trump's Trustworthiness at Florida Rally

President Joe Biden, 81, made another verbal blunder during a campaign rally in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, where he attempted to criticize former President Donald Trump's trustworthiness on the issue of abortion. Biden inadvertently asked, "How many times does he have to prove we can't be trusted?" instead of saying "he can't be trusted", prompting a swift correction from ABC News.

This incident adds to a series of missteps by Biden in 2024, fueling criticism regarding his age and mental acuity. At the rally, Biden was denouncing Florida's upcoming 6-week abortion ban and blamed Trump for the "health care crisis for women all over this country." The president noted that Trump described the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade as a "miracle."

Biden's intended message focused on Trump's rhetoric surrounding abortion, attributing the end of Roe vs. Wade and potential future rollbacks to his predecessor. The president also mocked Trump's recent attempt to sell a "God Bless the USA Bible" that includes the lyrics to Lee Greenwood's song and other patriotic texts.

Why this matters: The looming abortion ban in Florida has become a focal point, with Amendment 4 offering a potential avenue for voters to rescind the restriction, which could significantly impact the abortion landscape in the Southeast and influence electoral dynamics in the state. The issue of abortion rights is expected to play a critical role in the 2024 presidential election.

Despite the current restrictions on abortion in Florida, there is a glimmer of hope for those advocating for abortion rights, as a November ballot measure could potentially alter the existing ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy to after 24 weeks. Biden emphasized that voters in conservative states have chosen to adopt greater protections for women's right to abortion when the issue has been on the ballot.

This latest slip-up by Biden adds to a series of public speaking errors he has made during the lead-up to the election, including mixing up the Israeli city of Haifa with Rafah, a town in the Gaza Strip. The Biden campaign is hoping to flip Florida by invoking the abortion issue, but Trump has not yet said how he would vote on Amendment 4, which could rescind the state's 6-week abortion ban if approved by voters in November.

Key Takeaways

• Biden made a verbal blunder at a Florida rally, criticizing Trump's trustworthiness on abortion.
• Biden's gaffe adds to a series of missteps, fueling criticism about his age and mental acuity.
• The upcoming 6-week abortion ban in Florida has become a focal point, with a potential ballot measure.
• Biden emphasized that voters in conservative states have chosen to adopt greater abortion protections.
• Biden's campaign hopes to flip Florida by invoking the abortion issue, but Trump's stance on the ballot measure is unclear.