Former US President Joe Biden stumbled through a notable verbal slip during a speech on Friday at the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington DC, referring to the country as the “United States of Amerigotit” amid calls to resist the Donald Trump administration.
The 83-year-old Democrat, who was at the conference to receive the Chris Abele Impact Award from the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, honouring his administration’s advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, Fox News reported.
The award, named after board member Chris Abele, recognised Biden’s inclusive policies during his term.
Rallying cry turns awkward
Biden, addressing elected officials and advocates, urged them to “continue the fight” for equality. “We just have to get up. As long as we keep the faith … and remember who the hell we are. We’re the United States of Amerigotit, that’s who we are! We’re the U.S.!” he declared, slurring the nation’s name in the emotional segment, according to Fox News and New York Post reports.
He pressed on, emphasising resilience: “All of us are dismayed by the present state of the union. This is no time to give up. It’s time to get up. Get up and fight back… it’s about protecting the Constitution.” Biden accused President Donald Trump and “MAGA Republicans” of trying to “distort and derail our fight for equality,” framing it as a push for “basic decency, dignity, and respect” for all Americans.
Joe Biden attempts to pronounce the name of our country:
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 5, 2025
"We're the United States of Ameragottit." pic.twitter.com/4YsjgUOLAM
Biden’s earlier gaffes
During his presidency, notable missteps included calling Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump” at a 2022 conference, confusing Egypt with Mexico in a 2024 Israel-Hamas remark, and claiming Putin was “losing the war in Iraq” instead of Ukraine in 2023, as reported by Sky News.
These gaffes follow a pattern of verbal missteps that fuelled debates on Biden’s health last year, including NATO summit slips and a debate performance leading to his 2024 withdrawal. His physician had deemed him fit earlier in 2025, but Republican probes into his mental state persist, according to the New York Post.