President Joe Biden said he could not come to Normandy and not stop at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to pay his respects to the Marines who died in World War I, in a blow to his Republican rival Donald Trump, who skipped a stop there. during his own trip to France.
‘More Marines were lost here than in any other battle until the middle of World War II. And the idea that we could come to Normandy Beach, celebrate, show reverence for those we lost… I’m probably not speaking out loud,” Biden said Sunday, speaking softly.
“The idea of coming to Normandy and not making the short trip here to pay tribute,” he added. ‘And it’s the same story, think about it. America appeared. The United States showed up to stop the Germans. The United States showed up to make sure they did not prevail. “The United States shows up when needed, just as our allies do for us.”
But Biden declined to talk about Trump, who refused to visit the cemetery about 90 minutes from Paris. as president in 2018, claiming that the weather would not allow him to make the stop.
However, it was later revealed that Trump refused to make the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain and because he did not believe it was important to honor American war dead, calling them “stupid” and “losers.” ‘
The president did not need to mention his rival’s name to make the contrast clear. The photos of him there spoke for themselves, and Biden doubled down on the images with his message about paying respects and maintaining alliances.
President Joe Biden attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
Biden, who laid a wreath at the cemetery, made the sign of the cross and bowed his head in respect afterwards, would not attack his rival in the 2024 election when he had the opportunity to do so.
When asked about his previous criticism of Trump for not visiting the cemetery and what voters should take away from his own visit, Biden responded: “Any other questions?”
He also slipped up when he talked about why the United States should support its allies in Europe, as it did during the world wars.
He pointed to the delay in Ukraine funding, which was delayed by congressional Republicans trying to negotiate a deal on U.S. border security.
But the president said “Iraq” instead of Ukraine when he tried to make his point.
‘I mean the idea that we had to wait all those months just to get money for Iraq. …It’s not who we are. “It’s not about what America is,” she said.
Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Friday, where he apologized for Republicans’ delay on the $61 billion funding package and pledged that the United States would continue to support Ukraine in its time of need.
“We’re still in… completely, completely,” Biden said during their meeting at a Paris hotel.
Both leaders were in the French capital after the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which was celebrated on Thursday, and which proved to be an opportunity to highlight international alliances against totalitarianism.
Biden also said Sunday that he didn’t want his cemetery visit to be personal, but noted that he couldn’t help but think about his uncle, 2nd Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr., who was shot down in Papua New Guinea. and his son Beau, who served in Iraq. Beau died in 2015 of brain cancer, which the president attributes to his son being stationed near burn pits.
President Joe Biden waves and First Lady Jill Biden holds her hand on her heart as Taps plays at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France.
Biden has repeatedly criticized Trump for not visiting the cemetery.
President Biden’s stop at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where 2,289 Americans are dead, was his last event in France before returning to the US.
The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is located on a 42.5-acre plot of land 50 miles from Paris, in the Belleau Wood area. In June 1918, during World War I, American Marines carried out a successful counteroffensive against approaching German forces, keeping them out of Paris.
The cemetery contains the graves of 2,289 Americans killed in the war.
Although the president refused to talk about Trump at the cemetery, he has repeatedly criticized his Republican rival. for calling soldiers “losers and fools.”
‘Losers and fools! Who the hell does he think he is? Biden has said.
During Trump’s visit to France in November 2018, he skipped a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. At the time, the White House placed the blame on rainy, foggy weather, saying Marine One was unable to make the flight and there was not enough time to gather the necessary security for a caravan, requiring streets to be closed along along the route.
But it was later revealed that Trump did not want to go.
The Atlantic, citing multiple sources, reported that Trump said: ‘Why should I go to that cemetery?’ It’s full of losers. And he referred to the Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “fools” for being killed.
The former president disputed the account, saying that the Secret Service refused to allow him to make the stop because of bad weather.
Biden has repeatedly criticized Trump over the incident and contrasted it with the service of his late son Beau Biden, who was in the Delaware National Guard.
The American flag flies at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery dedicated to American soldiers killed at the Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes then-President Donald Trump to France on November 10, 2018
Biden spent five days in France, two of which were in Normandy, where he paid tribute to American veterans who fought on D-Day in World War II and gave a speech at Pointe du Hoc, where Army Rangers scaled a 100-foot cliff. . under intense German fire.
He and the first lady also joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron for a formal state visit Saturday that included an opulent state dinner at the Elysee Palace, where he cemented Franco-American relations.
“France was our first ally and that is not insignificant,” Biden said during his toast.
‘The fact of the matter is that you were with us to help us secure our freedom and we were with you 170 years later to do the same. And since then we have remained united, unwavering and unbreakable in our partnership.’
Singer Pharrell Williams, actresses Salma Hayek and Léa Seydoux, tennis great John McEnroe, who was in town for the French Open, were on the guest list, along with political heavyweights and titans of the entertainment industry. Fashion.
Previously, the two leaders discussed how to approach China, as well as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. And although there are tensions over trade, the two were keen to highlight areas of agreement.
They said the two countries will work to contain tensions over Israel’s war against the Hamas militant group.
“We are redoubling efforts together to avoid a regional explosion, particularly in Lebanon,” Macron said.
Biden will land in Wilmington, Delaware, on Sunday to spend the day in his home state.
Next week he will turn around and return to Europe on Thursday, where he will attend a G7 meeting in Italy.