Social media went berserk Tuesday night when Joe Biden appeared to fall asleep during a virtual town hall meeting with Hillary Clinton. The livestreamed event was designed to highlight Clinton’s endorsement of Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for the 2020 election. But during the event, Biden frequently cast his gaze down, as if consulting notes.
At one point, while Clinton was discussing how women in the workforce deemed “essential” have been affected by the coronavirus, the 77-year-old appeared to shut his eyes, put his head down and remain motionless for about 15 seconds, according to video from the town hall. One video of the incident racked up 1.5 million views by Wednesday morning, especially after several other accounts posted it with their own commentary.
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Nevertheless, Clinton used the town hall to support Biden’s presidential campaign. Touting Biden as a “friend” and a figure who has been “preparing for this moment his entire life,” Clinton also lambasted President Donald Trump as someone who is so ill prepared to be commander in chief that he appears to be simply playing the role on television. “I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president,” Clinton told Biden.
She is the latest top Democrat to back Biden, who shifted the tides of the primary elections by dominating in South Carolina and gathering several key victories on Super Tuesday. In addition to Clinton, former President Barack Obama, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders all endorsed Biden earlier this month. Continue reading to see how social media reacted to Biden appearing to fall asleep during Tuesday night’s virtual town hall with Clinton.
Some social media users had a field day with the footage, cracking jokes left and right about Biden, who Trump has referred to as “Sleepy Joe.”
Joe Biden has fallen asleep listening to Hillary Clinton during his own town hall pic.twitter.com/tCfbXwezys
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 28, 2020
There’s a reason @realDonaldTrump named him Sleepy Joe
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 28, 2020
Do you blame him? Plus, bad timing—it’s afternoon nap time, so…
— Navarro was in Mindhunter (@geld_it) April 28, 2020
The most rational thing I’ve ever seen Biden accomplish, sleep while Hillary was speaking.
— bigbrotherskeeper (@BIGBROTHERSMUSE) April 28, 2020
HOLY SHIT JOE BIDEN POWERED DOWN INTO SLEEP MODE IN THE MIDDLE OF A LIVESTREAM. https://t.co/84tufd6f4n
— Hammersmith (Never Blue again. Vote Green.) 🃏 (@Czernobog) April 28, 2020
Check for a pulse. Hillary tends to do that to people.
— John Gacinski (@johngacinski) April 28, 2020
But others defended the former vice president, saying it looked like he was simply looking down at his notes. Others showed a different clip from the town hall in which Biden was looking downward while Clinton complimented him and said she wished he were president now.
No he hasn’t he puts his head down often when hea listening this is nothing new . U people are getting worst by the day.
— Lovely Genxer (@dst88dz) April 28, 2020
Eurgh, watch for context. He was trying not to cry as Hillary discussed his strength through personal tragedy. There’s lots to mock him over. No need to be nasty about what was some personal shit.
— Noj the Cynic (@NojTheCynic) April 28, 2020
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