US President Joe Biden was at his ruthless best while delivering his speech at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Biden's remarks on Sunday were laced with political wit and humour as he took aim at his rival and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump. Without holding back, Biden, in a jovial way, acknowledged that in this presidential election, "age is an issue".
“The 2024 election is in full swing and, yes, age is an issue,” President Biden told the black-tie crowd. “I’m a grown man running against a 6-year-old.”
The president took potshots at Trump over a recent speech in which he described the civil war battle at Gettysburg as “interesting”, “vicious”, “horrible” and “beautiful”.
“Speaking of history, did you hear what Donald just said about a major civil war battle? ‘Gettysburg – wow!’ Trump’s speech was so embarrassing, the statue of Robert E Lee surrendered again,” Biden said.
He also poked fun at his own age and delivered some one-liners at the expense of the media.
“Some of you complained that I don’t take enough of your questions. No comment,” he said.
“The New York Times issued a statement blasting me for ‘actively and effectively avoiding independent journalists’. Hey, if that’s what it takes to get the New York Times to say I’m active and effective, I’m for it,” he said.
The president also struck a serious note, urging the media to stay focused on the implications of November’s election.
“I’m sincerely not asking you to take sides,” he said.
“I’m asking you to rise up to the seriousness of the moment. Move past the horse-race numbers and the gotcha moments, and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalise our politics and focus on what’s actually at stake.”