Biden Assures Crying Toddler That He's 'Bored With' Himself, Too
President Joe Biden’s remarks were no match for a crying toddler on Friday, but the White House crowd’s reaction to a quip about his speech drowned out the whimpering interruptions.
Biden, who welcomed the NCAA Championship-winning men’s basketball team from the University of Connecticut to the White House, was midway through reflecting on a conversation he had with university President Radenka Maric when the child sounded off in the audience.
“I was telling the president of the university that when I was in school... That’s OK, she’s allowed to do anything you want. Kids rule in my house,” Biden said as he directed his attention to the crying.
The crowd’s laughter, however, didn’t end the crying, so Biden softened his voice for the toddler.
“What’s the matter? What’s the matter? I don’t blame you; I’m bored with me, too,” he quipped.
Biden: That’s ok, she’s allowed to do anything you want. Kids rule in my house pic.twitter.com/DMrtssznvn
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 26, 2023
Twitter users were quick to compare Biden’s exchange with the child to remarks from former President Donald Trump, who called on a parent to “get the baby outta here” when he heard crying in a campaign rally’s crowd in 2016.
“Don’t worry about that baby. I love babies, I love babies. I hear that baby crying, I like it... don’t worry,” he initially said.
But Trump later said, “Actually, I was only kidding. You can get the baby outta here.”
“Character matters,” wrote Chris D. Jackson, a Tennessee election commissioner, in a tweet alongside a clip of Trump’s remarks.
Instant comparison:
TRUMP: "Get that baby out of here."
Character matters. https://t.co/QnzxBMUMJppic.twitter.com/RcdvpAreAy— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) May 26, 2023
CNN’s Ana Navarro, in another tweet, also wrote that Biden was a “good human being” for his interaction with the crying baby.
He is a good human being. https://t.co/zeMaXFLBnY
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) May 27, 2023
You can see more reactions, including comparisons between Biden and Trump, in the posts below.
What a contrast pic.twitter.com/rGbvlk706f
— Parker Butler (@parkerpbutler) May 27, 2023
Biden reminds me of the professor who while lecturing held the baby of his student so that she could take notes.
— Gnome Pickles he/him (@gnomishchampion) May 27, 2023
Next to his political acumen, these types of real-world interactions President Biden’s greatest strength. It shows the American people he’s a real person.
Now, imagine Donald Trump would respond to a crying baby in the audience. https://t.co/W1lpvrLCcD— Jay Perkins (@JohnathanPerk) May 26, 2023
The difference really couldn't be clearer.pic.twitter.com/P6NL6FFNgt
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) May 27, 2023
Trump could never have this moment. DeSantis could never have this moment. They don’t understand human decency. pic.twitter.com/mwSypRp7Bk
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) May 26, 2023