'Elect me, I'm in the 20th century,' Biden said, before correcting himself during a White House press conference on Wednesday
Critics mocked President Biden on Wednesday after he told Arizona voters to "elect me, I'm in the 20th century" during a White House press conference, before quickly correcting himself.
Biden made the remarks during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and answered a question from NBC's Peter Alexander, who asked the president for his reaction to a recent ruling by the Arizona state supreme court that outlawed abortion in nearly all circumstances.
"Elect me, I'm in the 20th century," Biden said, before correcting himself.
Conservative commentators quipped the president "finally got something right."
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) ((Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images))
ARIZONA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS NEAR-TOTAL ABORTION BAN
"21st century, not back then," Biden said quickly, correcting himself. "They weren't even a state."
Podcast host Stephen Miller noted this was an unscripted question, as the president relied on a list of reporters to call on during the press conference.
"If this was your elderly parent or grandparent, you would pull them off the stage," Steve Cortes, a former adviser to Donald Trump, posted to social media. "Not allow them to run for reelection of the most powerful country on earth."
The unscripted question he was asked, he answered this. https://t.co/UZSgMZYWbG
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) April 10, 2024
The Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling on Tuesday reverting the state back to a 160-year-old, pre-statehood law that outlaws abortion in nearly all circumstances.
The law would also make it a felony for anyone who "provides, supplies or administers to a pregnant woman, or procures such woman to take any medicine, drugs or substance, or uses or employs any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to procure the miscarriage of such woman, unless it is necessary to save her life," potentially carrying a prison sentence between 2 and 5 years.
The law, which was codified in 1913 after Arizona became a state, includes an exception in cases where the mother's life is at risk.
President Joe Biden speaks during a State Arrival Ceremony with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
"Elect me. I'm in the 20th Century." - Joe Biden
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) April 10, 2024
If this was your elderly parent or grandparent, you would pull them off the stage.
Not allow them to run for reelection of the most powerful country on Earth.
pic.twitter.com/3wtaasEmWh
"Biden is a man of the 20th century. Oh boy," Conservative journalist Ian Miles Cheong simply wrote.
Biden says that you should elect him because he’s "in the 20th century."
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) April 10, 2024
Call me crazy but I say don’t elect a guy who isn’t sure what century he’s in. 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/D9qY4ut507
Biden is a man of the 20th century. Oh boy. pic.twitter.com/4HL7VZv6Zn
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 10, 2024
"Biden finally got something right. He said, ‘I’m in the 20th century,'" commentator and author Jim Rickards said.
BIDEN: "Elect me. I'm in the 20th Century."
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 10, 2024
We are in the 21st Century.
This guy has the nuclear codes… pic.twitter.com/HxndFlYLIw
Biden acknowledged he had a list of reporters to call on during the press conference.
"Who do I call on next? Hang on a second. I got my list here. Hang on. I apologize," Biden said.
Biden finally got something right. He said, "I'm in the 20th century." Well, that was about the last time he wasn't senile.https://t.co/4ldb8MY2MO
— Jim Rickards (@JamesGRickards) April 10, 2024
Trump adviser Jason Miller wrote, "a bridge to the 1900s."
Biden thinks he’s running for an election in the 20th Century. 🤦🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/iqlhSYEVED
— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) April 10, 2024
The Citizen Free Press posted the clip to X and said, "Biden is so gone."
A bridge to the 1900’s…🤦🏻♂️
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) April 11, 2024
“Biden tells Arizona voters 'Elect me, I'm in the 20th century' in latest brutal gaffe” https://t.co/A4xg4MuKWX
Fox News' Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
Hanna Panreck is an associate editor at Fox News.