Biden says 'poor kids' are just as bright as 'white kids'
Former Vice President Joe Biden while speaking before the Asian & Latino Coalition in Iowa on Thursday accidentally said that "poor kids" are just as bright as "white kids."
Biden at this Des Moines event was discussing advanced placement programs in schools when he told the crowd, "We have this notion that somehow if you're poor, you cannot do it. Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids," Bloomberg reports.
The former vice president, it appears, quickly realized his mistake, as he immediately added, "...wealthy kids, black kids, Asian kids. No, I really mean it."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This came hours after another gaffe from Biden in Iowa, as he had earlier in the day also told a crowd, seemingly on accident, that "we choose truth over facts." Then there was a moment in which Biden started to refer to former British Prime Minister Theresa May as Margaret Thatcher, which CNN's Daniel Dale points out is his second time doing so in the past few months.
Biden, of course, has a long history of gaffes, and he previously came under fire for saying that then-Senator Barack Obama was the "first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy," as The Washington Post reports. Biden quickly apologized, saying he "deeply" regrets the "offense" the remark caused.
Watch Biden's most unfortunate gaffe of his Thursday Iowa visit below. Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump declares 'golden age' at indoor inauguration
In the Spotlight Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Where in the world to hop on a hot air balloon
The Week Recommends Float above California vineyards, Swiss Alps and the plains of the Serengeti
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'The death and destruction happening in Gaza still dominate our lives'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
DeSantis appoints Florida's top lawyer to US Senate
Speed Read The state's attorney general, Ashley Moody, will replace Sen. Marco Rubio in the Senate
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Democrats have many electoral advantages'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Five things Biden will be remembered for
The Explainer Key missteps mean history may not be kind to the outgoing US president
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Pam Bondi downplays politics at confirmation hearing
Speed Read Trump's pick for attorney general claimed her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political reasons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden warns of oligarchy in farewell address
Speed Read The president issued a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power in the hands of the ultra-wealthy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'The world is watching this deal closely'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Hegseth boosts hopes for confirmation amid grilling
Speed Read The Senate held confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary nominee
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published