The 2024 presidential election was marked by several high-profile political gaffes on the part of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. One major gaffe was Biden’s dismal debate performance against former President Trump, where he struggled with a hoarse voice and delivered rambling answers, leading to doubts about his viability as a candidate. Despite blaming his hoarse voice on a cold, Biden admitted to making mistakes during the debate and ultimately dropped out of the race on July 21, endorsing Harris, who later lost to Trump in the election. Another significant gaffe occurred when Biden called Trump supporters “garbage” less than a week before Election Day, drawing comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment in 2016.
During an appearance on “The View,” Vice President Harris faced criticism after she failed to provide a concrete answer when asked if there was anything she would have done differently than President Biden. Harris’s vague response allowed the Trump campaign to tie her directly to an unpopular administration, potentially harming her chances in the election. Another notable gaffe in the 2024 election was when Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, claimed to have become friends with school shooters during a vice presidential debate. Walz’s poorly worded statement caused confusion and controversy, as it was interpreted as him befriending individuals who had carried out school shootings, rather than the parents of victims.
Former President Trump also made a significant gaffe during a rally in New Hampshire when he mistakenly confused former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump inaccurately attributed the collapse of Capitol Hill security during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot to Haley, when he had previously blamed Pelosi for rejecting National Guard support. Additionally, Vice President Harris faced criticism for making confusing and convoluted statements during various public appearances throughout the year, with her remarks drawing ridicule and criticism from conservative circles online.
Another notable gaffe during the 2024 election occurred when President Biden mistakenly introduced Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” during a NATO conference in Washington, D.C. Biden’s verbal stumble caused confusion and awkwardness, but he quickly corrected himself, acknowledging his mistake. Overall, the 2024 presidential election was marked by numerous political gaffes from key figures, including President Biden, Vice President Harris, and former President Trump, which generated controversy and criticism throughout the campaign.
