Apparently, some people can’t believe President Biden began an event Monday with his usual silly and rambling comments about how much he loves ice cream before shifting to a discussion of the school shooting in Nashville. Biden event began at 2:43 p.m. Eastern standard time; Nashville police received a report of the shooting at 10:13 a.m. local time.
For clarity, here is how Biden began his remarks, according to the official White House transcript:
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. My name is Joe Biden. (Laughter.) I’m Dr. Jill Biden’s husband. (Laughter.) And I eat Jeni’s Ice Cream, chocolate chip. (Laughter.) I came down because I heard there was chocolate chip ice cream. (Laughter.)
By the way, I have a whole refrigerator full upstairs. (Laughter.) You think I’m kidding, I’m not.
Ben, how are you, pal?
SENATOR CARDIN: Well.
THE PRESIDENT: One of the best guys in the United States Congress, Ben Cardin. (Applause.)
Folks, welcome to the White House.
AUDIENCE: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: And it’s a delight to have you all here. And who are those good-looking kids back here? (Laughter.)
MS. BLAKELY: Those are my kids.
THE PRESIDENT: They’re your kids? All four of them?
MS. BLAKELY: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, stand up, guys. (Laughter and applause.)
Well, I want you to know, like you, I had two brothers — there were three in our family, three brothers, and one sister. And my sister is smarter than all of us. (Laughter.) Not a joke.
She used to be three years younger than me; now she’s 23 years younger than me. (Laughter.) You know, she managed every one of my campaigns for office, even back when I was in high school. We went to the same university two years apart. She graduated with honors; I graduated. (Laughter.) And we had a simple rule in the family: Listen to Val. (Laughter.) My sister, Valerie, is incredible.
So, guys, be nice to your sister. You’re going to need her. (Laughter.) You’re going to need her. I promise.
It’s the same lineup. You’re the oldest? Who’s number two? Number two? Who’s number three?
AUDIENCE MEMBER: It’s both.
THE PRESIDENT: You’re twins? Are you guys twins?
AUDIENCE MEMBER: No, we’re not twins. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. All right. Just how — just how it was in our outfit. Well, I’m so glad to see you all, and thanks for coming with mom. Okay?
You got to take care of your mom. Dads are much harder to raise. But, you know, we’re — (laughter) —
Before I begin to speak, and the reason I spent a little time on the kids, I — I just want to speak very briefly about the school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.
This is how Joe Biden operates these days, now past his 80th birthday and never the most disciplined or focused speaker, even in his younger days. His mind wanders, he rambles, his comments meander, and he ends up making some very uncomfortable and tone-deaf comments. It is likely many White House staffers cringed, although it’s also possible they’ve gotten used to Biden saying things like this.