President Joe Biden has found himself in the spotlight yet again, this time for an inaccurate claim he made regarding the Grand Canyon during a speech addressing his climate agenda.
What Did Joe Biden Do Now?
The President referred to the Grand Canyon as one of “Earth’s nine wonders,” a statement that quickly gained attention on social media.
While delivering his speech at the Red Butte Airfield in Arizona, President Biden praised the Grand Canyon, describing it as a “national treasure” and one of the “Earth’s nine wonders.” The gaffe has sparked online discussion and commentary on platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter.
Critics seized upon the misstep, with political satirist Tim Young stating, “Joe Biden says the Grand Canyon is one of the 9 wonders of the world… There are only 7 wonders of the world… maybe 8 depending on what list you look at… Either way, he’s clueless and his staff certainly don’t help or care…”
Daniel Turner, the executive director of Power the Future, humorously chimed in, “And he’s one of the 7 Dwarfs. Sniffy. Bribey? Or Dirty.”
The Seven Wonders
The widely recognized list of wonders of the world consists of seven iconic locations, and the Grand Canyon is not among them. The recognized wonders include the Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, the Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India.
However, the Grand Canyon is part of a separate list known as the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World,” compiled by CNN in 1997. This list encompasses natural marvels such as the northern lights (aurora), the Great Barrier Reef, the Harbor at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Parícutin in Mexico, Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, and Mount Everest.
Biden later corrected his misstatement, acknowledging that he meant to say “seven” wonders instead of “nine.” He shared a personal anecdote, saying, “The first time I saw the Grand Canyon years ago, I was a young senator. As I stood there and looked out, a phrase came to mind — it was instinctive. I said this must be — this is God’s cathedral. That’s what it reminded me of. It just is so magnificent. As a matter of fact — I said nine. It’s one of the seven wonders of the world.”
The incident adds to a series of verbal missteps and gaffes that have drawn attention during Biden’s tenure as President. As online discussions unfold and critics respond, the episode underscores the challenge of balancing the demands of public speaking with the precision expected of a leader.
Biden’s Notorious Gaffes
President Joe Biden’s history of such slip-ups is well-documented, with instances of verbal and physical blunders during his time in office. Despite attributing some of these mistakes to his speech impediment, critics, including former President Donald Trump, have used them to question his mental competence.
In June 2023, Biden mistakenly referred to the ongoing war in Ukraine as the war in Iraq. He claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “clearly losing the war in Iraq,” a statement that raised eyebrows.
In the same month, Biden closed a speech on gun control with the phrase “God save the Queen, man.” The odd reference left observers puzzled about whether he meant the Late Queen Elizabeth II or Queen Camilla.
In July 2022 Biden was mocked for reading teleprompter instructions aloud during a speech at the White House, leading to ridicule and questions about his leadership abilities.
Last October he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “great president” instead of vice president during an event, repeating a similar mistake made in a birthday message.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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