Biden's Remarks About Uncle's WWII Death in Papua New Guinea Spark Outrage

President Joe Biden has come under fire for suggesting that his uncle, Army Air Corps aviator Ambrose Finnegan, was cannibalized after his plane crashed in Papua New Guinea during World War II. Biden's comments, made during a recent visit to a war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania, have been met with strong criticism from Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

According to Biden's account, Finnegan's plane was shot down over Papua New Guinea, and his body was never found because there were "a lot of cannibals" in the region at the time. However, U.S. defense records contradict this claim, indicating that Finnegan's aircraft suffered engine failure and was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea. "No trace of the aircraft was found," the records state.

Prime Minister Marape has dismissed Biden's remarks as a "slip of the tongue" and defended his country, stating that Papua New Guinea "does not deserve to be labeled as such." He pointed out that the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea would find such categorization deeply offensive, even though cannibalism was historically documented in some remote parts of the country.

Why this matters: Biden's controversial comments have strained relations between the United States and Papua New Guinea at a time when both countries are competing with China for influence in the region. The incident highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and accurate historical representation in diplomatic interactions.

Marape has called on the United States to assist in finding and repatriating the remains of American servicemen who lost their lives in Papua New Guinea during World War II. He emphasized that the country still lives with the lingering effects of the war, including unexploded ordnance and military wreckage scattered across its jungles.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden, stating that the president is "incredibly proud" of his uncle's military service and takes the tragedy of his loss seriously. She chastised the press for making light of the situation. Despite the controversy, Marape has expressed that Biden's comments have not tainted the broader bilateral relationship between the United States and Papua New Guinea.

Key Takeaways

• Biden claimed his uncle was cannibalized in PNG during WWII, but records contradict this.
• PNG PM Marape dismissed Biden's remarks as a "slip of the tongue" and defended his country.
• Biden's comments have strained US-PNG relations amid competition with China in the region.
• Marape called on the US to help repatriate remains of American servicemen lost in PNG.
• White House defended Biden, stating he takes the tragedy seriously, but the incident remains controversial.