Biden ends trip to France by paying his respects at American cemetery Trump refused to visit but mixes up Ukraine with Iraq in his call for the U.S. to ‘show up’ for allies

President Joe Biden said he could not come to Normandy and could not stop at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to pay his respects to the Marines who died in First World War – a sharp jab at his Republican rival Donald Trumpwho skipped a stopover there during his own trip to France.

“More Marines were lost here than any other battle until the halfway mark WWII. And the idea that we can come to Normandy Beach and celebrate and pay respect to those we’ve lost – I’m probably not speaking loudly,” Biden said in a low voice on Sunday.

“The idea that I would come to Normandy and not make the short trip here to pay tribute,” he added. “And it’s the same story, think about it. America showed up. America showed up to stop the Germans. America showed up and made sure they didn’t get the upper hand. America shows up when needed, just like our allies do for us.”

But Biden declined to talk about Trump, who refused to visit the cemetery about 90 minutes outside Paris as president in 2018, claiming that the weather would not allow him to make the stop.

However, it was later revealed that Trump refused to make the visit because he feared the rain would mess up his hair and because he did not think it was important to honor America’s war dead and call them “suckers” and “losers.” to call. ‘

The president did not need to mention his rival by name to make the contrast clear. The photos of him there spoke for themselves and Biden doubled down on the images with his message about showing respect and sticking to alliances.

President Joe Biden attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

Biden, who laid a wreath at the cemetery, made the sign of the cross and then bowed his head in respect, would not take a hit on his rival in the 2024 election if he had the chance.

When asked about his past criticism of Trump for not visiting the cemetery and what voters should learn from his own visit, Biden responded: “Any more questions?”

He also made a slip of the tongue when talking about why America should support its allies in Europe, as it did during the world wars.

He pointed out the funding gap for the Ukrainewhich was postponed by Congress Republicans trying to negotiate a deal on U.S. border security.

But the president said “Iraq” instead of Ukraine when he tried to make his point.

‘I mean the idea that we had to wait all these months to get money for Iraq. … It’s not who we are. It’s not who America is,” he said.

Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris on Friday, where he apologized for the Republicans’ delay the $61 billion financing package and pledged that the US would continue to support Ukraine in times of need.

“We are still… fully and thoroughly engaged with it,” Biden said during their meeting at a Paris hotel.

Both leaders were in the French capital on Thursday following the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which proved an opportunity to underline international alliances against totalitarianism.

Biden also said Sunday that he did not want to make his visit to the cemetery personal, but noted that he couldn’t help but think of his uncle, Second Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr., who was shot down over Papua New Guinea, and his son Beau, who served in Iraq. Beau died of brain cancer in 2015, which the president attributes to his son being stationed near burn pits.

President Joe Biden salutes and first lady Jill Biden has her hand on her heart as Taps plays at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France

Biden has previously repeatedly criticized Trump for not visiting the cemetery

President Biden’s stop at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where 2,289 Americans died, was his last event in France before returning to the US.

The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is located on a 42.5 hectare plot, 50 miles outside Paris, in the Belleau Wood area. In June 1918, during World War I, U.S. Marines conducted a successful counteroffensive against oncoming German forces, keeping them out of Paris.

The cemetery contains the graves of 2,289 American war victims.

Although the president declined to talk about Trump at the cemetery, he has repeatedly criticized his Republican rival because they called soldiers “losers and losers.”

‘Losers and losers! Who does he think he is?’ Biden has said.

During Trump’s visit to France in November 2018 he skipped a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. At the time, the White House blamed the rainy, foggy weather, saying Marine One couldn’t make the flight and there wasn’t enough time to arrange the security needed for a motorcade, which would require closing streets along the route .

But it was later revealed that Trump did not want to go.

The Atlantic reported, citing multiple sources, that Trump said, “Why would I go to that cemetery? It’s full of losers.’ And he called the Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood “suckers” because they were killed.

The former president has disputed the story, saying the Secret Service denied him the stop because of bad weather.

Biden has repeatedly blasted Trump over the incident, contrasting it with the service of his late son Beau Biden, who served in the administration. Delaware National Guard.

The American flag flies at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, dedicated to the American soldiers who died in the battle for Belleau Wood during World War I

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes then-President Donald Trump to France on November 10, 2018

Biden spent five days in France, including two in Normandy, where he paid tribute to the American veterans who fought on D-Day in World War II and he gave a speech at Pointe du Hoc, where Army Rangers scaled a 100-foot cliff under heavy German fire.

He and the first lady also joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron for a formal state visit on Saturday that included a lavish state dinner at Elysee Palace, where he strengthened French-American relations.

“France was our first ally and that is not unimportant,” Biden said during his toast.

“The fact is, you were with us to help us secure our freedom, and we were with you 170 years later to do the same. And we have remained united, unyielding and steadfast in our partnership ever since.”

Singer Pharrell Williamsactors Salma Hayek and Léa Seydoux, tennis great John McEnroe, in town for the French Openwere all on the guest list, along with political heavyweights and fashion industry titans.

The two leaders previously discussed the approach China, as well as conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. And while there are tensions over trade, the two were keen to highlight areas of agreement.

They said the two countries will work to limit tensions over Israel’s war against the militant group Hamas.

“We are redoubling our efforts to prevent a regional explosion, especially in Lebanon,” Macron said.

Biden lands in Wilmington, Del., on Sunday to spend the day in his home state.

He will turn around next week and return to Europe on Thursday, where he will attend a G7 meeting in Italy.