- Biden begins to take his seat during D-Day ceremonies in Normandy
- He paused while Lloyd Austin was introduced, then rose and sat down.
You might want to sit down for this.
President Joe Biden squatted during ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, then awkwardly held the position before correcting himself as other dignitaries stood on behalf of his defense secretary.
The strange moment came during an interlude after Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron saluted surviving heroes of the Normandy invasion, while a military band played somber music.
Biden, 81, then bent his knees as if preparing to sit down.
Just as he was about to drop down, the music suddenly cut off and a loudspeaker told the assembled “distinguished guests” that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would speak.
That caused Biden to stop halfway to the chair, while others on stage were still standing. She then raised herself slightly as if to stand up. Then, she crouched down while other standing notables did the same.
Never stand if you can sit: President Joe Biden moved to take his seat just as a loudspeaker announced that his defense secretary would make remarks. He paused, stood up slightly, and then sat down along with other dignitaries. It was a strange moment during solemn ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
Biden may have received some covert stage directions from first lady Jill Biden, who stood next to him and who sometimes guides him to exits during his public events.
After Biden began squatting, the first lady covered her mouth and scratched the area above her upper lip. It was hard to tell if she let him know that it wasn’t the right time to sit down yet.
Biden is attuned to the comfort of guests at large speaking events. She regularly tells her own supportive listeners to please take a seat if they have one.
The unusual moment occurred during a day of emotional meetings with some of the last members of the ‘Greatest Generation’.
Biden met with two dozen American veterans who landed in Normandy in 1944 and served in what he called a “crusade” that ultimately liberated Europe from Nazi tyranny.
First lady Jill Biden sometimes provides movement cues to the president during public events
The moment followed one-on-one meetings with World War II veterans.
Biden presented the veterinarians with specially made coins to commemorate the occasion.
First lady Jill Biden covered her mouth and scratched under her nose as the president prepared to sit down.
Just as Biden prepared to be seated, an announcer told guests that Secretary of Defense Austin would make remarks.
With several thousand veterans and service men and women in the crowd, along with dignitaries including Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron, Biden may have been living up to an old military saying: “Never stop when you can.” sit down, never sit down when you can lie down. Lie down, never lie down when you can sleep.’
The president may also have wiped his eyes several times during the ceremony. He clenched his fist behind a military overpass.
The solemn ceremony, amid a time of brutality in Europe that the president referenced in his speech, had some other joyful moments, such as when 11-year-old veterinarian Robert Gibson told Biden: “Don’t get old.” .
Jill Biden seemed eager to keep things moving. After the event’s conclusion, she guided Biden off the stage. The couple left after Biden shook hands with a few more veterans, holding hands as they walked. Even when Biden left, Macron stayed to greet more of them.
Biden’s trip to Europe – the first of two in a matter of days – is being closely watched this election year for signs of fragility, as his first presidential debate with Donald Trump, 77, is just weeks away.
This week, the Wall Street Journal published an investigative article that paints a troubling picture of a president who sometimes fails to remember meetings and confuses policy details. The story cited Republican leaders and drew opposition from Democratic senators who said their remarks were not included.
His post prompted new calls from some medical experts for Biden to undergo a cognitive test.