Video: Biden ‘wanders off’ at G7 Summit, pulled back by Italian PM Meloni

A video of US President Joe Biden seemingly wandering away from leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, before being pulled back by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has gone viral on social media.

The clip shows the 81-year-old President seemingly losing focus and drifting away from the group of world leaders during a skydiving demonstration on Thursday. He turned to his left and approached an officer packing a parachute, giving the man a thumbs-up.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni intervened to guide him back to the main proceedings. The two leaders then posed for a photo-op, with Biden slowly putting on his signature aviator sunglasses.

The video was widely circulated on social media and sparked debate, with some questioning Biden’s ability to serve another term. Others argued that the video lacks context, pointing out that several leaders, including Biden, were looking towards the man packing the parachute.

White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates defended the president, claiming the clip was distorted. “He’s saying congratulations to one of the divers and giving a thumbs up,” Bates said on X.

This was not the only odd incident involving Biden at the G7 summit. Earlier, a video showed the US President awkwardly saluting Meloni before walking off-stage.

It was the latest in a string of unusual incidents for Biden, including difficulty sitting during a D-Day ceremony in France and appearing dazed during a Juneteenth celebration on the White House lawn.