Joe Biden has been accused of dozing off during a Maui wildfires memorial service.
The US president has been blasted by conservative critics after footage showed him dropping his head for several seconds during the service, compounding an error-strewn visit to the area devastated by the blazes earlier this month.
Biden was met with boos after arriving in Hawaii on Monday (21.08.23) amid criticism of a lack of federal support following the deadly infernos and did little to help the mood of the shocked islanders.
The president delivered a rambling speech that mentioned the death of his wife and baby daughter in a car accident in 1972 and later told a story about a kitchen fire in his Delaware home back in 2004.
As he met one of the rescuers, Biden made an awkward joke about the need for protective footwear, saying: "Hot ground!"
The gaffe-filled visit has provided further ammunition to those who have questioned whether 'Sleepy Joe' (as he has been nicknamed by Donald Trump) has the cognitive ability to lead the United States and a Republican congressman even called for him to step down.
Andy Ogles, a congressman representing Tennessee, tweeted: "Imagine the President of the United States falling asleep while you're describing the effects of the deadliest fire in the last 100 years.
"This is absolutely disgusting. Biden should resign from his post immediately."
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