It seems that even amidst formal occasions, a bit of candid humor can sneak in. At the recent inauguration of President Donald Trump, a lip reader has unearthed an intriguing exchange between Trump and Joe Biden.
This inauguration held a special significance as Trump was sworn in as the 47th U.S. President, marking the beginning of his second term with the Republican party. The ceremony, continuing the revered tradition, was set on January 20.
Biden, who had been the focus of much speculation about his health, graciously withdrew from the presidential race. At 82, he addressed his decision as being in the best interest of his party and the nation, later offering an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.
The election saw Trump garnering a total of 312 electoral votes, enabling his return to the Oval Office as the President of the United States. Since his swearing-in, Trump has been energetic, swiftly enacting executive orders and rolling back many of Biden’s initiatives.
One significant move included issuing pardons and commutations to more than 1,500 individuals implicated in the U.S. Capitol events on January 6, 2021, as reported by the BBC.
Among his other substantial decisions was the announcement of the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Known for addressing global temperature rises, the agreement was reinstated by Biden in his tenure but has again been retracted by Trump.
Further breaking ground, Trump nullified Biden’s halting of Arctic oil drilling, stating boldly, “We will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.”
The president also signed a significant order defining and recognizing only two genders—male and female—asserting they cannot be changed legally. In his impassioned inaugural speech, Trump stated, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
Other plans in the pipeline include renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and reversing the 2015 decision to change Alaska’s Denali back to its former name, Mount McKinley, as laid out in a New York Post preview.
Amongst these headline-making plans, an unexpected moment during the inaugural ceremony has caught public attention—an exchange with Biden.
Typically staged in front of the gathering at the U.S. Capitol building, this year’s event saw a shift indoors into the Rotunda due to the biting temperatures.
At the North Portico of the White House, Trump, alongside Melania, was greeted by the outgoing President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Lip reading expert Jeremy Freeman offered insights into their conversation during a photo session. As per Freeman, Biden extended a warm “Welcome home” to Trump, who replied in a lighthearted manner, “How are you? It’s so cold. I need to do my coat up I’m freezing.”
Amidst shared amusement over the cold, Freeman claims Trump humorously added, “Shut up Biden,” in response to Biden acknowledging the chilly weather.
Trump made an aside comparing the cold to skiing, prompting Biden’s succinct “It’s hello,” before he mentioned wanting to step inside from the cold.
In an amusing turn of events post-inauguration, it appears that Trump stumbled upon a farewell letter from Biden in the Oval Office only after a journalist’s reminder. This quirky exchange and its unveiling add a lighter, human touch to the intricate political tapestry.
