Biden agrees nuclear deal with Johnson and ‘fella Down Under’
AUSTRALIANS mocked Joe Biden for referring to prime minister Scott Morrison as “that fella Down Under” in what appeared to be an awkward memory lapse by the President.
“The prime minister commits to an intimate partnership with US President who can’t remember his name,” quipped a former MP from Mr Morrison’s Liberal Party.
Mr Biden omitted his counterpart’s name as the two appeared with Boris Johnson at a virtual briefing announcing a new defence partnership to build a nuclear submarine fleet for Australia.
Mr Biden said “Thank you, Boris,” before hesitating as he looked at the screen on which Mr Morrison was appearing via video link.
“And I want to thank that fella Down Under. Thank you very much pal… Appreciate it, Mr Prime Minister.”
Mr Morrison gave the President the thumbs up, but the comments were seized upon in Australia as an embarrassment for Mr Biden. News.com.au, a major news outlet, tweeted: “That awkward moment when you make a historic announcement but forget the country’s leader’s name you’re forming an alliance with. Off to a great start.”
Its US correspondent, Sam Clench, compared the moment to when Donald Trump’s media spokesman, Sean Spicer, referred to former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull as “Malcolm Trumble” – twice.