In an unforeseen incident during an election campaign, President Joe Biden bewilderingly decided to don the merchandise of his political rivals. Biden, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, visited the firefighters stationed near the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, marking the anniversary of 9/11. Regrettably, this act of remembrance was imbued with the polarizing undertones of politics, considering the location is renowned for its firm support of former President Donald Trump.
During the event, Biden championed the country’s brief show of bipartisan unity in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, attempting to suggest that we need to return to this collaborative spirit. This assertion was communicated by Deputy Assistant to the President, Andrew Yates. However, the real unity required is a departure from such calculatedly partisan strategies.
In a seemingly unplanned gesture, Biden approached an attendee adorned with a red-and-white hat displaying an allegiance to Trump. He offered for them to swap hats, with Biden willing to give away his ‘presidential’ hat replete with the hallowed presidential seal – another glaring display of never-ending campaign theatrics.
When questioned if he was going to sign his hat, Biden responded with enthusiasm that he would. This exchange further raised eyebrows, revealing a shocking degree of political posturing on an occasion of solemn reflection.
The man then decided to tease the President, questioning if he still remembered his name. To this somewhat disconcerting jest, Biden replied in an overly casual and dismissive manner by stating that he was ‘slow’ and coyly joked about his old age.
In a failed attempt to connect with his audience, Biden looked into the crowd and declared how the man reminded him of his youth, of that neighborhood character always stirring the pot. Maybe the president should remember he’s no longer a neighborhood guy but the leader of a nation.
Following the brief signing session, the man received Biden’s now autographed, dark blue presidential hat. In return, Biden quipped that he ‘needed’ the man’s Trump-emblazoned hat. Biden’s seemingly casual acceptance and even desire for this symbol of polarized America was an unfortunate sight.
The man, apparently taken aback by these theatrics, asked Biden if he wanted his autograph, to which Biden responded with, unsurprisingly, a flippant ‘Hell no’. Once again, the president managed to add a touch of crassness into an otherwise somber observance.
A cry from the crowd urged Biden to put on the Trump cap. Biden responded with a jovial refusal, inciting a ripple of laughter from the attendees – perhaps at the spectacle of it all or perhaps due to the awkwardness of the political dance.
Despite proclaiming he wouldn’t, Biden then perched the Trump cap atop the hat he was already wearing, in a loosely fit manner. The man who initially wore the hat had by this time already put on Biden’s signed presidential hat.
The crowd responded with applause, perhaps more for the comedic relief than for any approval of Biden’s actions. Inappropriate laughter seemed to permeate the event.
On this day of reflection, the three political figures – Biden, Harris, and the unnamed Trump supporter – visited several identical sites as part of various commemoration services. One would hope that they could put politics aside to honor those who sacrificed their lives.
Yet, Biden and Harris’s activities fell far from expectations. Their choice to indulge in political grandstanding over the solemnity required is a disappointing sight.
With every jest and spectacle, they seemed intent on turning an event of remembrance into a theater of divisive politics, an unfortunate misuse of the platform given to them.
This event should serve as a clear reminder that the personas of Biden and Harris are a far cry from the unity they verbally champion. Instead of fostering harmonious relations, they seem adept at further fanning the flames of division.
In summary, the episode at Shanksville was a baffling attempt at being relatable, which ultimately transformed a day of solemn remembrance into a bizarre performance of political fraternizing. It undoubtedly calls into question the sincerity of Biden and Harris when it comes to bridging the divisions that pervade the country.