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In Major Gough, US President Joe Biden Points to the “Selfishness” of US Soldiers in Saudi Speech

July 17, 2022
Saqafy Times

In Major Gough, US President Joe Biden Points to US Soldiers' 'Selfishness' in Saudi Speech

Joe Biden praised American soldiers for “selfishness” but quickly improved to “selflessness.” (file)

On the final day of his Middle East tour, United States President Joe Biden mistakenly pointed to the “selfishness” of American soldiers. The verbal gaffe came as Mr Biden delivered prepared remarks to Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

“For the first time since 9/11, a US President is visiting the region, without involving American soldiers in combat – in a combat mission in the region. We will always honor the bravery and selfishness – the selflessness – and the sacrifices . of the Americans who served, including my son, Major Beau Biden,” Joe Biden said.

According to New York PostSaturday’s slip comes days after Mr Biden mistakenly vowed to “keep alive the truth and honor of the Holocaust”. However, even in this case, he immediately corrected himself and read the correct line: “Terror of the Holocaust”.

Meanwhile, in a more confusing sequence of events, Mr Biden gave a fist fight to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Friday. In particular, the US president has previously been criticized for his role in the assassination of MBS. Washington Post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. So, in the end, the fist picture clicked in front of the royal palace of the Saudi king in Jeddah became the defining moment of the US President’s visit.

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Critics were quick to react to Mr Biden’s fist-bump in Jeddah. Khashoggi’s fiancé, Hatice Cengiz, shared on Twitter what he believed the late journalist’s reaction would be fistfights. He tweeted, “Is this the accountability you promised for my murder? The blood of the next victims of MBS is in your hands.”

separately, according AFPFred Ryan, Publisher and CEO Washington Post – who appointed Mr Khashoggi – called Mr Biden’s fistfight with MBS “shameful”. “The fist bump between President Biden and Mohammed bin Salman was worse than a handshake – it was embarrassing,” he said. “It offers a level of intimacy and comfort that provides MBS with the unwanted redemption he has been desperately seeking,” said Mr. Ryan.