Outgoing President Joe Biden shared ill-timed personal “good news” amid a briefing about the fast-spreading catastrophic wildfires consuming homes, businesses, and historic sites in California.
“The good news is I’m a great-grandfather as of today. Ten-pound baby girl — baby boy — so I’ll remember this day,” Biden said on Wednesday while in Santa Monica, California.
Some reporters responded lightly with a “yay” and a clap for Biden as he spoke about his granddaughter Naomi, 31, giving birth to a baby boy. Naomi is the daughter of Hunter Biden.
The baby announcement collided with the raw reality of devastation for so many Californians suffering destruction and homelessness due to the fires in the Los Angeles area.
🚨Joe Biden while receiving a briefing on the devastating Los Angeles fires:
“The good news is that I became a great grandpa!” pic.twitter.com/rntNHHilOj
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) January 8, 2025
Netizens snapped at the announcement’s timing.
“Understanding social norms – like that this is the not appropriate time or place to say this – is a sign of the condition we all know he’s suffering from,” an X user said.
“Disgusting,” an X user reacted.
“Terrible awareness,” another netizen added.
“Unfreaking believable! I’m sorry your life is destroyed. The good news is I’m a great grandfather. Apparently nobody taught Biden that there is an appropriate time for jest; this was not it,” a woman on X reacted.
“Dude needs to read the room,” another social media user said.
“He went and made it all about him,” a woman added on X.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who stood next to the president during the announcement, had proclaimed a state of emergency to further support the communities affected by the fires in Southern California.
The multiple wildfires consumed the Los Angeles area on Wednesday and displaced more than 100,000 people as it ravaged entire neighborhoods. Firefighters have struggled with low water supply and strong winds. The Pentagon also began sending 10 Navy helicopters with water delivery buckets to help with aerial support on Wednesday. Some residents have reportedly been seen trying to douse their homes with garden hoses.
