San Francisco, United States – In an unscripted moment at a public fundraising event in California, President Joe Biden candidly referred to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as a “crazy SOB.” The remark, caught by a small group of reporters, adds to the string of strong language used by Biden to characterize Putin, whom he has previously labeled a “butcher” and a “war criminal.”
During the event, Biden emphasized the pressing issue of climate change as an existential threat to humanity, noting that despite concerns about nuclear conflict with leaders like Putin, the global focus should prioritize addressing environmental challenges.
This is not the first time President Biden’s candid remarks have made headlines. In January 2022, he was caught in a hot mic slip using strong language to describe a Fox News journalist as a “son of a bitch.”
The latest verbal jab at Putin comes ahead of the announcement of a new package of stringent sanctions against Russia on Friday, following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison. Biden has been vocal in condemning Russia’s actions, and the sanctions are expected to escalate tensions between the two nations.
In addition to addressing Russia, Biden took a swipe at his presumed election rival, Donald Trump, criticizing him for drawing parallels between his legal issues and the plight of Navalny. The President highlighted the surreal nature of such comparisons, stating that if he had made similar remarks a decade ago, people would have questioned his sanity.
As diplomatic relations continue to strain, Biden’s candid comments provide insight into the intensifying geopolitical landscape and the challenges faced by the United States in its dealings with Russia.
Note: The President’s remarks were made in a spontaneous moment at a fundraising event and may not reflect official diplomatic language.