(Headline USA) Despite having had back-to-back vacations at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Lake Tahoe, California, a jetlagged President Joe Biden appeared to fall asleep Tuesday while meeting with survivors of the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui.
It was one of several gaffes that have unfolded over a two-week span feeding the perception that Biden had little regard for the victims of the natural disaster, many of whom are likely to have been children home alone during the workday.
While just over 100 fatalities have been confirmed as of Wednesday, the final death toll is believed to be closer to 1,000.
During a Tuesday night dinner, however, Biden was caught on camera shutting his eyes while listening to a speaker discuss the devastation. He was the only one in the room with his head bowed and eyes closed, and seemed to snap out of it after briefly nodding off.
This isn’t the first time Biden has fallen asleep at a public event. Shortly after he took office, the president attended the COP26 climate conference, where he appeared to doze off during the opening speeches.
Biden appears to fall asleep during COP26 opening speeches pic.twitter.com/az8NZTWanI
— Zach Purser Brown (@zachjourno) November 1, 2021
More recently, he had a brief nap while conducting a one-on-one diplomatic meeting in July with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Biden has been blasted for his response to the tragedy in Maui, which he initially refused to even comment on.
Critics have also taken issue with “tasteless” jokes he made while visiting the site of the wildfire.
“You guys catch the boots out here? That’s a hot ground, man,” he said, pointing to the boots on the paws of a cadaver dog, which is trained to find human remains.
JUST IN: Biden jokes how hot the ground is in Maui after a fire, killing hundreds. 🔥
“You guys catch the boots out here? That’s a hot ground, man,” he joked.
Over 100 dead (Locals say 480) & 800+ STILL missing. 😔 #GiantMurderWave #LiberalCorruption pic.twitter.com/e7kKkpy4Ej
— Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News 🙌 (@unhealthytruth) August 22, 2023
Also during his visit, he claimed to have “a little sense” of what the residents of Maui are going through because of a small kitchen fire in his Delaware home almost 20 years ago.
“I almost lost my wife, my ’67 Corvette and my cat,” he said.
Biden tells Maui wildfire victims, "I don't want to compare difficulties, but…" then tells a made up story about losing his house to a fire.
According to a 2004 AP report, it was “a small fire…contained to the kitchen” that “was under control in 20 minutes.” pic.twitter.com/DNY0Tyatg7
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 22, 2023
Many Maui residents made it clear that they did not want Biden on their island. When he arrived on the island, his motorcade was met with chants of “Go home, Joe!” from angry locals with signs that read “No Comment.”
“I don’t want him here,” Lahaina resident Jay Awan said. “He’s just coming to Maui to look good in front of the cameras.”
Some also offered more obscene reactions.
🚨 Maui residents gave Joe Biden a warm welcome to Hawaii today.
“Here he comes after 13 days.”
“F*CK YOU”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 22, 2023
