Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj was introduced as "Vladimir Putin". Vice President Kamala Harris was mixed up with Donald Trump.
It was yet another two mistakes by President Joe Biden – the question is whether they were entirely decisive for his election campaign?
Considerably delayed, Joe Biden finally stepped out for what was described as his perhaps most important press conference ever.
I am the most qualified person. I have defeated him once and will do it again, said Biden in response to a question about the future of his presidential election campaign.
I have more work to finish.
His critics, however, believe that the work is now over. After what was described as a catastrophic performance against opponent Donald Trump in the TV debate a couple of weeks ago, it has largely been about how it really stands with 81-year-old Biden's physical and cognitive health.
"Completed examinations"
During the press conference, Biden cleared his throat several times, stuttered, and hesitated around certain words, such as when he talked about the US inflation figures presented during the day.
At one point, he also seemed to mix up Donald Trump with his Vice President Kamala Harris when he mentioned "Vice President Trump", something Trump ironically pointed out on social media with the words "Good job, Joe".
I have completed three neurological examinations, they show that I am in good shape, replied Biden to a question from one of the reporters.
Called Zelenskyj Putin
During the nearly one-hour-long press conference, Biden simultaneously had detailed explanations, showed great commitment when he talked about foreign policy, and among other things, Gaza and Israel.
Earlier in the day, however, he made another blunder when he introduced the guest of honor at the NATO meeting, Ukraine's President Zelenskyj, with the words:
Now I want to hand over to Ukraine's President, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen: President Putin.
Although Biden quickly corrected himself and also received support from Zelenskyj, it was precisely what his critics highlighted, and they have now become a few more.
Pressure increases
Prior to the press conference, over a dozen Democratic congressmen have explicitly stated that they want to see 81-year-old Biden step aside and let someone else from the party take up the fight against Donald Trump.
Beyond political voices, actor George Clooney has also turned his back on Biden in a notable opinion piece in The New York Times, demanding the same.
It is clear, in any case, that Biden will do a new TV interview, now with NBC, which is intended to be broadcast in the US on Monday next week.
It has been interpreted as nothing will happen, at least not before then.
