Syracuse, NY - A recent event at Syracuse University, meant to celebrate President Joe Biden's portrait unveiling, has become an unexpected flashpoint for online discourse after Biden mistakenly referred to a university trustee as "Barack." The moment, captured and widely circulated on social media, has prompted accusations of racism from some quarters.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at Biden's alma mater, where his official portrait was being presented. During his remarks, the 83-year-old president extended his hand towards a trustee, identifying him as "Barack." The clip of this exchange has since gone viral.
Online Reactions and Broader Context
While the university announced the portrait unveiling in February, the focus has now shifted to this verbal slip. This occurrence adds to a string of verbal stumbles and perceived gaffes that have drawn public attention and scrutiny.
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The White House has, at times, pushed back against viral clips, labeling some as "misinformation." In previous instances, footage of Biden has been framed by conservative outlets, leading to dismissals from White House spokespeople who offered alternative footage or context.
This event also touches upon a broader theme of presidential portraits and their unveiling. Notably, President Biden himself was involved in unveiling the official White House portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama in December 2023. He had previously invited the Obamas to the White House for this ceremony, reviving a tradition that had been altered during the Trump administration.
Presidential Portrait Traditions and Tensions
The unveiling of presidential portraits has a history tied to presidential transitions and perceived slights. It is a well-established tradition for the sitting president to host their predecessor for the unveiling of their official White House portraits. This custom was noted when Biden invited the Obamas, contrasting with the tenure of Donald Trump, who had skipped this tradition.
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Furthermore, the narrative surrounding presidential portraits has seen its own share of controversy. Reports have emerged of the Trump White House installing plaques that included critical or mocking descriptions of Barack Obama and, in one instance, a placeholder for Biden's portrait, an "autopen" image accompanied by disparaging text. This practice has been characterized as divisive and a departure from established norms.
Biden, as Obama's former vice president, has a documented history of involvement with these presidential portrait events. In May 2020, he had also accused then-President Trump of refusing to allow the Obamas' portraits to be hung in the White House, a claim that was met with differing accounts regarding the accuracy of the assertion.
