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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Marita Moloney

US President Joe Biden in hot water after 'calling Irish people stupid' on St Patrick's Day in latest gaffe

US President Joe Biden is facing criticism after another gaffe that referenced his Irish heritage.

Speaking on St Patrick's Day, the President, whose great-great-grandfather was born in Co Mayo, was captured on video making a rather unfortunate remark given the day that was in it.

As he addressed attendees of a St Patrick's Day reception in the White House, Mr Biden is heard saying: "I may be Irish, but I'm not stupid."

READ MORE: Joe Biden gives enthusiastic answer to Taoiseach's invitation to Ireland at St Patrick's Day meeting

He said: "Bless me father, for I'm about to sin. I just want you to know, I may be Irish, but I'm not stupid. I married Dominic Giacoppa's daughter."

Mr Biden laughs as he makes the comment while standing in front of American and Irish flags.

It is not the first time he has made the off-the-cuff remark, but actually the third.

He reportedly made the same gaffe in 2015 while speaking to Senator Lindsey Graham, and again in 2019 when addressing a crowd in Iowa as a Democratic candidate.

A clip of Mr Biden repeating the phrase, on St Patrick's Day of all occasions, has gone viral since it was posted online on Thursday afternoon.

People took to Twitter to share their incredulity that the Irish American US leader would infer that people from Ireland are "stupid".

One person sarcastically said: "Inspirational message to Irish-Americans: #HappyStPatricksDay — you buncha STUPIDS."

A second said: "Biden: 'I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid.' Personally I think I have my own opinion about that statement."

A third wrote: "Inferring people of Irish heritage are stupid without calling them stupid...Sad example for an American... SMH."

A fourth commented: "Biden on a roll. Calling all Irish people stupid lol."

Another person noted: "He's said it before, and it doesn't sit well with the Irish."

Someone else said: "Reported for disinformation."

One Twitter user wrote: "I didn't know the Irish were stupid, Mr #Biden."

Another commented: "Wow! How rude to the Irish! Unbelievable."

While someone else joked: "Put Ireland on the 'Won't take your calls' list."

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