Biden Says He Awarded Uncle A Purple Heart—But His Story Isn't Possible
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Nicholas ReimannForbes Staff
President Joe Biden appeared to make a major gaffe Friday when he claimed that after being elected vice president in 2008, he awarded his uncle, Frank Biden, a Purple Heart for his service in World War II, but there are some major holes in his story--primarily the fact his uncle died almost a decade before the 2008 election.
Biden recounted the story at a town hall event on veterans benefits on Friday, saying his father—Joe Biden Sr.—encouraged him some time after the 2008 election to give the Purple Heart to Frank Biden for his service during the Battle of the Bulge, claiming he deserved the medal but had never been awarded it.
The president's father died in 2002; his uncle died in 1999.
Biden claimed his uncle told him, "I don't want the damn thing," when it was presented to him because many he served with did not survive the battle.
There doesn't appear to be any record of Biden giving his uncle the honor—the president hasn't mentioned the story in the past, there have been no news articles written about it and Frank Biden's name does not appear on a list of recipients held by the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, though the list is incomplete.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Crucial Quote
"My dad—when I got elected vice president—he said, 'Joey, Uncle Frank fought in the Battle of the Bulge ... and he won the Purple Heart,'" Biden said.
Key Background
Biden made the comments while promoting the PACT Act, a bill he signed in August to expand healthcare benefits to veterans who became sick after exposure to toxic burn pits. The bill is one of several Biden has promoted to demonstrate the success of his administration, but this latest gaffe may serve as another worrying sign for Democrats leery of another Biden presidential run. Polls have repeatedly suggested many Democrats do not want Biden to run for reelection, such as a CNBC survey carried out late last month that found 57% of Democrats do not want him to run in 2024. The driving factor seems to be Biden's age—he is the first person 80 or older to ever serve as president. If he wins reelection and serves out two full terms, he will depart office at age 86.
Tangent
Biden has on multiple occasions incorrectly said his son, Beau, died in Iraq. Beau Biden died of brain cancer in the U.S. in 2015, but the president connects his son's death with exposure to toxic burn pits during his service in Iraq.
Further Reading
Biden Verbally Fumbles, Twice, During Campaign Trip in Florida (New York Times)
Senate Passes Bill Benefiting Veterans Exposed To Toxic Burn Pits (Forbes)
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He constantly makes things up and, like many neurotically insecure people, makes himself a character in events he played no role. It's not like a symptom of his dementia either. The "son of a coal miner" has been doing it his entire life.
He lies and lies and his supporters just pretend it doesn't happen.
oh, the irony...
Yes, the irony of MSM and leftist media not denouncing Brandon for every lie that drops out of his mouth. If his lips are moving he is lying.
Cue the liberals and "But Truuummmppp!" any minute now....
If this happened three years ago, there'd be multiple facts checks and the media would obsess about it for days.
But it's Biden, so the media just accepts being lied to and asks for more. No different than what delusional monarchs do to their subjects. He's literally telling preposterous lies that everyone listening knows are lies, knowing his subjects can't contradict him.
Cabbage head is not able to walk and talk at the same time. Multitasking is an Biden oxymoron
And while Biden the puppet fumbles and stammers, his hapless press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre is left holding the bag. It was esay at first because, as we all know, most of the press corps is leftist and really doesn't want to ask any real questions when it comes to their beloved doddering fool. For a while it was only Fox's Peter Doocy who would ask the tough questions. Now out of the continent of Africa a star has risen. The thorn in the side of Biden's mouth piece is simply known as "Simon."