Biden Dementia Rumors Rekindled by Unexpected 'Air Handshake'

Some Conservative Factions Rekindle Biden Dementia Rumors
In May, Also Mistakenly Referred to President Moon as 'Prime Minister'

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address since taking office at the joint session of Congress held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 1 (local time). [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] A scene of U.S. President Joe Biden reaching out his hand into the air immediately after a speech has been captured, reigniting concerns about his health.

According to the New York Post and others on the 15th, after finishing his speech on the 14th (local time) in Greensboro, North Carolina, President Biden descended from the podium and reached out his hand into the air as if to shake hands.

He hesitated for a moment with his hand extended, then repeatedly glanced around before leaving the stage. At that time, there was no one at the podium, and the audience was applauding President Biden after his speech.

This incident has sparked renewed dementia rumors about President Biden among the U.S. conservative camp, including the New York Post.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz posted a video of Biden’s air handshake on Twitter along with an eye-rolling emoji.

Hamid Dillon, former vice chairman of the California Republican Party, also wrote, "If you don’t want President Biden to look like a dementia patient, this is really strange."

The dementia controversy surrounding President Biden has continued since the presidential election process.

He once mispronounced the name of his presidential rival, former U.S. President Donald Trump, as "Donald Hump" and dismissed it as a joke. Even after becoming president, he made a mistake by referring to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as a "former general."

During a summit with President Moon Jae-in last May, he also referred to President Moon as "Prime Minister."