United States: Once again, President Biden found himself captured on camera, revealing a moment of doubt in his own words during critical junctures. In a recent gathering within the Oval Office alongside Iraq’s Prime Minister, as the world grapples with the aftermath of a violent missile and drone assault by Iran on Israel, Biden seemed unable to deviate from his meticulously prepared scripts.
Images depict Biden, aged 81, resorting to a detailed crib sheet, complete with capitalized stage directions indicating when to pause, perhaps to allow for translations. This occurred during his initial public address following the devastating attack on Israel over the past weekend. The contrast was glaring beside Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani, who spoke effortlessly, devoid of any notes.
Rather than addressing the nation live while missiles loomed, the White House opted to prematurely end the evening, choosing only to disseminate staged photographs of Biden in the Situation Room. It was only after the immediate threat had diminished that Biden reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convey US support and convened discussions with G7 leaders—yet again, adhering too cautiously to the script, purportedly urging Netanyahu to restrain Israel’s reaction, appearing more concerned about political appearances than demonstrating decisive leadership.
In a public statement, Biden affirmed, “The United States is committed to Israel’s security… We are committed to a cease-fire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading further.” However, these words, recited from his script, now seem empty, underscoring a pattern of reliance on scripted safety nets even in ostensibly impromptu dialogues.
This inclination to lean heavily on pre-written cues was observed not solely in times of international crisis but also in less formal settings such as private fundraisers, causing discomfort among his own supporters, according to reports from Axios.
As crises continue to unfold, the leader of the free world should be expected to address his nation and the world with sincerity and genuineness, not to conceal behind meticulously crafted words. The recurrent appearance of Biden’s crib sheets raises troubling doubts about his capacity to navigate unscripted challenges—where true leadership is not measured by adherence to a script but by the ability to speak from the heart and adapt with resilience.