As a man who's spent more time in the White House than most others, Joe Biden is no stranger to the countless feuds that make place in the world of politics. Over two years into his presidency, the Pennsylvania native has been reflecting on what he's accomplished so far, as well as what he's got planned for the future (including another potential run). Unfortunately for him, he's facing some seriously unflattering press at the moment thanks to Marjorie Taylor Greene.
As The Independent reports, Biden was earlier falsely blamed for the opioid overdoses of brothers Kyler and Caleb Kiessling, sons of pro-life activist Rebecca Kiessling. Earlier this week, Greene claimed that the sitting president is responsible for the young men's passing, though it was actually during the Trump administration when they lost their lives. "I’ve read she was very specific recently saying that a mom, a poor mother who lost two kids to fentanyl, that I killed her sons," the politician said during an event in Baltimore on Wednesday (March 1).
"[Biden's] Words are Being Mischaracterized," White House Says
"Well, the interesting thing: that fentanyl they took came during the last administration," he also told the crowd, letting out a chuckle. It was the laugh that seems to have upset Kiessling and many others, who feel as though President Biden is making light of the mother's immense loss. Criticism has obviously been constantly pouring in across social media all week long. In response, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the media, explaining POTUS' view of the situation.
She began, "When it comes to this president, I believe the American people knows who he is. They have watched him go through grief. He expressed sympathy for her last night. And his heart goes out to any person, any person who has to go through that type of trauma, that type of hurt." According to Jean-Pierre, Biden's words are being "mischaracterized by someone who is regularly discredited for things that she says that are really conspiracy theories."
Twitter Reacts to the Situation
The press secretary didn't explicitly say that Joe Biden feels any remorse or guilt for laughing, though many on Twitter are vocally demanding that Kiessling receive one from him ASAP. "What’s funny about Americans dying from fentanyl, Joe? The families who have lost loved ones from fentanyl aren’t laughing," Greene asked him after he corrected her accusations earlier this week. Keep scrolling for more social media reactions, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
[Via]