While visiting a war memorial near his hometown in Pennsylvania, President Biden appeared to imply that his uncle was eaten by cannibals after his plane ride. was shot down during World War II.
“He flew single-engine planes, reconnaissance flights over New Guinea. He had volunteered because someone couldn’t come. He was shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals in New Guinea at the time,” President Biden said. . “They never found his body.”
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that President Biden’s maternal uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, whom he calls “Uncle Bosie,” did indeed die during World War II when his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean, but confirmed it was not eaten. by cannibals, as Biden appeared to suggest twice during his Wednesday visit.
Asked about his comments on Friday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was experiencing an “emotional moment” when he made his remarks.
President Joe Biden addresses the National Action Network Convention remotely from the South Court Auditorium of the White House, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“The president had a moving and, I think, symbolic moment. He had the opportunity as president to honor his uncle’s service in uniform. He had the opportunity to be there as as president, you know, to speak to people who have put their lives on the line on behalf of this country,” Jean-Pierre said.
She then explained what Biden’s comment meant.
“This is how his uncle, who lost his life when the military plane he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea. The president highlighted the story of his uncle in pleading for the fulfillment of our sacred commitment to equip those we send to war and care for them and their families when they return home,” Jean-Pierre said. “And as he reiterated, the last thing American veterans are or the last thing Americans should be called is idiots and losers. And those kinds of words should not come from a commander in leader, as we have done in the past.”
Jean-Pierre’s latest statement referenced former President Trump, who President Biden said called soldiers “suckers and losers.”
Trump reportedly made the comments as he prepared to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery during a trip to France in November 2018 while he was president.
The allegations, originating anonymously in The Atlantic, described multiple offensive comments allegedly made by Trump toward fallen and captured U.S. service members, including calling World War I dead at a U.S. military cemetery in France of “losers” and “suckers”. 2018.
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At the WH press conference on Friday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the overnight unrest in the Middle East. (Getty Images)
“This is more about fake news made up by disgusting, jealous failures in a shameful attempt to influence the 2020 election!” Trump wrote in a Twitter post about the comments made against him.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told “Fox & Friends” that he was with the president for much of the trip to France. “I have never heard him use the words described in that article,” Pompeo said.
Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted that she was part of the discussions about visiting the cemetery. “This never happened. I was sitting in the room when our president called family members after their sons were killed in combat and it was heartbreaking. … I am disgusted by this false attack. “
Fox News’ Peter Doocy continued to question Jean-Pierre about President Biden’s comments about his uncle, acknowledging that 2nd Lt. Ambrose Jay Finnegan was a war hero, but stating that the Pentagon said, for unknown reasons, the plane was forced to ditch in the ocean.
“Both engines failed at low altitude. Why does President Biden say he was shot down? There is no evidence of that. And why does he say his uncle was eaten by cannibals ?That’s a bad way to go,” Doocy questioned.
Smith told podcast host Patrick Bet-David that he was “ashamed” that Democrats couldn’t find a better candidate than President Biden to beat Trump. (Biden photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images and Trump photo Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“He lost his life. That’s not the case. Look, I’m not, you shouldn’t make jokes about it,” Jean-Pierre said.
Doocy reiterated that it wasn’t a joke, but reiterated that that’s what Biden said.
“I mean, your last sentence is, it’s in jest, it’s for a funny statement. And he takes this very seriously. His uncle, who served and protected this country, lost his life serving. And that should matter. You have a president who lifts up our American troops, our American veterans every day. Who really thinks they are heroes?
Doocy was asked once again why he used the term “cannibalism” as Jean-Pierre made his final comment to him.
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“I think you don’t understand. The fact is you have a president who lifts up America’s veterans, who lifts up our American military. And that’s what matters. He understands how crucial and important he is to be commander in chief,” Jean-Pierre finished.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
