President Joe Biden was Vice President Kamala Harris’ opening act when the two appeared at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual gala in Washington Saturday – and the president dropped one of his trademark doozies.
The outgoing president was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the group’s Phoenix Awards dinner before ceding the podium over to the Democratic nominee.
And true to his gaffe-prone form, the 81-year-old bungled his introduction in a major way.
‘I’ve served as vice president of the first black president and former CBC member. I’m president alongside the first black president, a former CBC member,’ Biden said, dropping the ‘vice,’ a mistake he has made before.
But it got worse.
‘And God willing she’ll become the first woman of the United – president of the United States of America,’ he said, in yet another verbal rounding error.
Harris then stepped out onstage wearing a long, black sequined number, a departure from her usual blazers, pantsuits and Chuck Taylors.
President Joe Biden (left) introduced Vice President Kamala Harris (right) at Saturday night’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual gala in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic nominee sported a long, black sequined gown to address thousands at the Washington Convention Center
Vice President Kamala Harris ditched her Chuck Taylors and blazers and wore a bold sequined gown to address the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards Dinner
She was immediately interrupted by a ‘skee wee’ chant, a whistle-like call used by members of her AKA sorority.
The vice president gave a shout-out to members of all the ‘divine nine’ sororities and fraternities and her HBCU brothers and sisters before heralding her time working with Biden.
‘It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as his vice president. And I will tell you I have worked very closely with him whether we are in the Oval Office or the Situation Room, Joe Biden is always fighting for the American people,’ she said.
‘And I do know, that history will show what we here all know, he has been one of the most transformative presidents in American history,’ Harris said, thanking him for ‘everything you are and everything you have yet to do.’
It was equally a lovefest when Biden spoke about Harris.
‘Kamala Harris meets the highest standards of character. I’ve served with her, I know her, I trust her, and I’ll be proud to stand on the steps of the United States Capitol and take the oath of office as president of the United States of America.’
At the dinner, Biden dedicated more of his speech to attacking Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden spoke first during Saturday night’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation gala – calling out GOP VP nominee J.D. Vance over pushing that Haitian immigrants were eating pets
President Joe Biden (left) was given a lifetime achievement award by Rep. Terri Sewell (center) and Rep. Steven Horsford at Saturday’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation gala in D.C.
Actress and comedian Sherri Shepherd (left) and Roy Wood Jr. (right), known for his work on The Daily Show, were tapped as emcees for the evening
He went after Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, for pushing that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating people’s pets.
‘It’s wrong, it’s got to stop,’ the president said.
Of Trump’s broader MAGA movement Biden warned, ‘Let’s be clear, there are old ghosts in new garments trying to seize your power and extremists coming for your freedom.’
‘Making it harder for you to vote and have your vote counted, closing doors of opportunity, attacking Affirmative Action and the values of diversity, equity and inclusion,’ he continued. ‘Banning books, erasing history.’
He slapped around his ‘predecessor’ for commending those involved in January 6 and trying to send in the military to stop the protests after George Floyd’s May 2020 death.
‘He says immigrants – black and brown immigrants – poison the blood of our country,’ Biden said of Trump.
‘Any president should reject hate in America and incite – not incite it,’ the president added.
Harris took a lighter touch with Trump, ridiculing him – as she has since Tuesday’s debate – for an answer he gave about whether he had a healthcare plan.
‘We actually have a plan for healthcare, not just “concepts of a plan,”‘ she told the crowd, who cheered. ‘Concepts,’ she said again.
The CBC event attracted thousands of black Americans from across the country.
Harris thanked them in advance for getting out the vote.
‘I truly believe that America is ready to turn the page on the politics of division and hate and to do it our nation is counting on the leadership here in this room,’ she said.