A viral video from the G7 summit in southern Italy shows U.S. President Joe Biden appearing to wander off during a skydiving demonstration, before being called back by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a group photo. The incident occurred on June 13 as world leaders admired an evening parachuting display.
The Moment unfolds
During the event, as other leaders focused on the presentation, the 81-year-old Biden seemed distracted, moving away from the group and possibly conversing with a parachute packer. Meloni then approached Biden, touching his right arm to signal him to rejoin the group. The leaders subsequently gathered around Biden, who donned his signature aviator sunglasses for the photograph.
Social media reactions
The Republican National Committee’s RNC Research X account highlighted the moment, questioning Biden’s actions with the caption: “WHAT IS BIDEN DOING?” National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin and Outkick writer Ian Miller criticized the situation, with Miller calling it an embarrassment that a foreign leader had to guide Biden back.
White House response
In response, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates defended President Biden, claiming the video, widely shared by wire services, had been distorted. Bates emphasized that the portrayal of the incident was misleading.
