March 15th 2024.
President Joe Biden proudly embraced his Irish heritage as he welcomed leaders from Ireland to the Oval Office. The 81-year-old president was captured holding cheat cards with the names and proper pronunciations of the Irish officials visiting him. Among the names was the title of the prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, known as the "Taoiseach." As Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar joined Biden for a meeting ahead of St. Patrick's Day, the president confidently greeted him with the correct pronunciation of "tee-shock."
The cheat cards also included helpful information on Varadkar's colleagues, such as Ireland's ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason and Varadkar's chief of staff Brian Murphy and deputy chief of staff Philip O'Callaghan. Biden took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the warm reception he received during his visit to Ireland last year, saying, "Great chance to return some of the hospitality that you provided me when I was in Ireland last."
To mark the occasion, Biden donned a green tie with shamrocks and had a bowl of shamrocks displayed in front of the fireplace. Being Irish-American himself, the president has always been proud of his heritage, with his ancestors arriving in the US over 165 years ago. This year, the US and Ireland are commemorating a century of diplomatic relations.
During their meeting in the Oval Office, Biden and Varadkar exchanged warm words, with the president stating, "May the hinge of our friendship never grow rusty." Despite his reputation for making gaffes, Biden confidently avoided any mistakes during their interactions, including properly addressing Varadkar as "Taioseach."
After their meeting, the two leaders attended the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the US Capitol, where Biden called for increased aid to Ukraine, a sentiment that Varadkar echoed. "Ukraine must not fall, and together, we need to stand by them for as long as it takes," Varadkar stated, adding, "We look forward to working with America for the next 100 years."
This was not the first time Biden has been seen with cheat cards. In June of 2022, he was spotted with a notecard detailing where he should stand during a meeting. When questioned about the use of cheat cards, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that it is normal for a president to be briefed on potential questions and issues that may arise during press conferences.
Overall, the meeting between President Biden and Taoiseach Varadkar was a successful one, with both leaders reaffirming their strong relationship and commitment to working together for years to come.
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