Biden Struggles With Teleprompter on NATO Speech, Coughs Repeatedly; KJP Says “No Update Needed” From Physician; Afghanistan Review Still Not Done

On 8/10/2022, Biden struggled visibly to read from a teleprompter during remarks on NATO ratification for Sweden and Finland — mangling names, losing his place, and coughing repeatedly. KJP dismissed requests for a physician update, saying “no update is needed” and blaming “lingering effects” of COVID. The Afghanistan after-action review was still not complete over a year after the withdrawal. An African reporter confronted KJP about the lack of questions directed to African journalists, saying “Africans deserve questions as well — we don’t need to force a question.”

Teleprompter Struggles

Biden’s NATO ratification remarks were marked by repeated stumbles. He mangled the Finnish president’s name multiple times — “President Meanie Stole — Nines to — okay, Nines to” — before apparently giving up. He lost his place several times, starting and restarting sentences. “Wars have repeatedly — ribbon — the continent and engulf the world in conflicts,” Biden said.

He also confused titles at an event. “First, President Harris and First Gentleman — actually the Second Gentleman, but you’re really my First Gentleman,” Biden said.

Coughing — “No Update Needed”

A reporter noted Biden had experienced “several coughing episodes” and asked for a physician update on his post-COVID recovery.

“As you know, we shared his negative test today,” KJP said. “What he’s experiencing right now is the lingering effects. There’s no update needed. We had actually said that this was a possibility.”

She again refused to produce Biden’s physician, Dr. O’Connor, to take questions — continuing the pattern that had drawn criticism weeks earlier.

Afghanistan Review: Still Not Done

A reporter asked about the “top-to-bottom extensive review” of the Afghanistan withdrawal that Biden had promised the previous year. “There was some reporting today that it’s not gonna be ready for the one-year mark. Why is that process taking so long?”

“Departments and agencies have begun their independent after-action reviews,” KJP said. “It’s just still underway. I don’t have a timeline for you.”

The withdrawal had occurred in August 2021 — making the review over a year overdue with no completion date.

”Africans Deserve Questions”

An African journalist confronted KJP about being overlooked during briefings. “We always have to beg for patience. Africans deserve questions as well. And even when you give questions to us, it’s because we forced — we don’t need to force a question. We also deserve to have a question,” the journalist said.

KJP promised to return to African journalists, but the moment highlighted a pattern of the briefing room prioritizing established outlets.

Remain in Mexico Ended

DHS announced it was ending the Remain in Mexico policy following the Supreme Court’s June ruling that the administration had authority to eliminate it. A reporter asked about the delay — nearly two months between the ruling and the action.

“The Migrant Protection Protocol under the prior administration was flawed. It was inhumane,” KJP said, not explaining the delay.

Pelosi: China Is “a Scared Bully”

Following Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, a reporter quoted the Speaker calling China “a scared bully in a fragile place.” KJP said she “did not watch the interview” and deferred to Pelosi to “speak for herself.”

Biden had said it was Pelosi’s “right to go” and cited the precedent of Speaker Gingrich visiting Taiwan “a generation ago.” KJP insisted the visit “does not change our one-China policy.”

Key Takeaways

Biden struggled to read the teleprompter during NATO remarks, mangling the Finnish president’s name multiple times and losing his place repeatedly.
KJP said “no update is needed” from Biden’s physician despite ongoing coughing episodes post-COVID.
The Afghanistan withdrawal after-action review was still not complete over a year later with no timeline provided.
An African reporter confronted KJP about being consistently overlooked: “Africans deserve questions — we don’t need to force a question.”
DHS ended Remain in Mexico nearly two months after the Supreme Court cleared the way; KJP called the prior policy “flawed and inhumane.”

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

President Meanie Stole — Nines to — okay, Nines to. Wars have repeatedly ribbon the continent.
The president had several coughing episodes. No update is needed. It’s lingering effects.
The Afghanistan review is still underway. I don’t have a timeline for you.
Africans deserve questions as well. We don’t need to force a question. We also deserve to have a question.
The Migrant Protection Protocol was flawed. It was inhumane.
First, President Harris and First Gentleman — actually the Second Gentleman, but you’re really my First Gentleman.

Full transcript: 796 words transcribed via Whisper AI.