Biden confuses Macron with dead French president, Francois Mitterand, who died in 1996

The 81-year-old US leader confused his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with France’s long-dead former leader Francois Mitterand, who died in 1996

As well as getting Macron’s name wrong, he misstated the country he leads, referring to France as Germany

Reading Time:2 minutes

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office. On Monday, the 81-year US leader confused his French counterpart for Francois Mitterand, who died in 1996. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:08pm, 6 Feb 2024Updated: 10:10pm, 6 Feb 2024

US President Joe Biden confused his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with France’s long-dead former leader Francois Mitterand, in a speech that went viral in video footage on Monday.

Addressing a campaign event in Las Vegas on Sunday, the 81-year-old US leader described Macron’s reaction to a speech at a G7 meeting in 2020.

As well as getting Macron’s name wrong, he misstated the country he leads.

“And Mitterrand – Macron, from Germany – I mean, from France looked at me and said, said ‘You know, what – why – how long you back for?’” Biden said, according to a White House transcript.

US President Joe Biden confused current French president Emmanuel Macron for Francois Mitterand. Mitterrand was French president from 1981 to 1995, and died in 1996. Photo: AP

Mitterrand was French president from 1981 to 1995, and died in 1996.

Video of Biden’s mix-up has been viewed thousands of times on X, formerly Twitter, and shared hundreds of times.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x