The President of the United States, Joe Biden, starred in a moment of lapse at a White House event where he was disoriented and forgot the Secretary of Defense’s name, Lloyd Austin, which he called “the man who leads that team there.”
The event took place as the president announced the appointment of two female generals to lead the country’s military commands.
The White House leader hesitated when he mentioned Austin, revealing the confusion: “And I want to thank the sec, the, the, um, ex-general. I keep calling him a general, but my, my … the man who leads that team there
The president also seemed to forget the name of the Pentagon, which he called “that team.”
“I would certainly like to thank the Secretary for everything he has done to implement what we just talked about. And for recommending these two women for promotion,” added Donald Trump’s successor.
Earlier at the same event, Biden had named the head of the Department of Defense by the name of “Secretary Austin” as he appeared to be reading from a teleprompter.
Biden announced the appointment of General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense on December 8 last year. Source: AFP
As part of International Women’s Day, Biden signed a decree appointing two general women: Jacqueline Van Ovost was selected to lead the United States Transport Command while Laura Richardson will lead the US Southern Command, with competition in operations in South America.
If confirmed, the two officers will become the second and third women in US history to fill the role of “Combatant Commander”.
The American media echoed the tense moment spent by the president. 78-year-old Biden had problems with the election names of his cabinet secretary in the past.
In December, he mispronounced his candidate for the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, before correcting himself with a mispronunciation.
And he also seemed to forget Donald Trump’s name at a virtual event in October, mistaking him for former President George Bush.
Biden announced the appointment of General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense on December 8 last year, an appointment he described as ‘necessary’ and ‘historic’.
Austin, 67, became the first black person to lead the Pentagon, an institution where minorities are strongly represented at the grassroots, but not yet at the top.
Austin, 67, became the first black person to lead the Pentagon. Photo: EFE
This retired Army general, who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming the first colored man to lead the US Army’s Central Command (Centcom), “is uniquely qualified to face the challenges and crises we are currently facing. faced “. wrote in a statement.
General Austin shares my deep belief that our country is stronger if it leads not only by the example of our power, but also by the strength of our example, ”he concluded.
With information from agencies.
JPE