This year’s State of the Union address was not without hilarious bloopers. The highlight was an accidental lip-on-lip kiss between First Lady Jill Biden and Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. The moment did not hesitate to go viral on various social media platforms.
In video footage shared widely online, Emhoff is seen leaning in and Mrs. Biden planting a kiss on his lips. Opinion on the matter is wide-ranging, with some internet users praising the First Lady’s friendly and warm gesture. On the contrary, others have criticized her for being too intimate in a public setting.
A Cringe Kiss, According to Twitterati
Benny Johnson, a reporter with Newsmax, first shared the video on Twitter minutes before the commencement of President Joe Biden’s second State of the Union address. He added a caption, “Did Jill Biden just kiss Kamala’s husband on the LIPS?!”
Twitter users reacted to the video variously, some utterly disgusted while others dismissing the incident as optics. Benny Johnson thought it was “cringe” – he even shared a video of himself “roasting” the President.
However, some commentators argue that the First Lady’s actions reflect the warmth that runs in the family. This refers to the various incidents in which President Biden has come across as cringe. He has been filmed on several occasions, invading people’s personal space in public. Some point out that the kiss may not have been accidental because the Second Gentleman and the First Lady have a close relationship.
The First Lady and Douglas Emhoff have a close relationship, with Jill Biden often referring to him as “her second husband.” The couple has interacted warmly on several occasions, and the public has widely praised their affectionate relationship.
The Kiss Was a Welcome Distraction During a High-Stakes State of the Union Address
Despite the kiss, the President went ahead with the State of the Union address, assuring Americans of the government’s resolve to tackle the many problems they face.
The President began his address by highlighting the progress made in the past two years, particularly in the areas of public health and economic recovery. He emphasized the importance of continuing to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and announced plans to increase the pace of vaccinations and expand testing efforts. Biden also addressed the ongoing economic recovery and proposed new measures to support American workers and businesses.
Additionally, the President discussed the ongoing efforts to address racial and social inequalities and vowed to take concrete steps to promote racial justice. He spoke about the need to address climate change and promised to take bold action to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
The President also had a mouthful to say about China. Before the State of the Union address, a balloon had appeared in the US airspace, which the government claimed to be a Chinese spy balloon. On this, the President termed the incident provocative.
He argued that the balloon threatened American sovereignty and that the government would take all necessary measures to “protect our country.” “I’ve made clear with President Xi that we seek competition, not conflict,” he added.
President Biden took a tough stance regarding Russia, condemning Moscow for its cyberattacks and interference in US elections. He also called on Congress to pass legislation to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity and defend against future attacks. The President’s words on Russia reflect the growing concern in the US about the threat posed by Moscow, both in terms of national security and democracy.
Overall, the State of the Union address was a complex and nuanced speech that reflected President Biden’s desire to unite the country while also addressing some of the country’s most challenging issues. Thus, the First Lady-Second Gentleman kiss was a welcome distraction.
