A Monday afternoon speech by President Joe Biden was cut short and sparked multiple theories online about what was the “other issue” he had to suddenly deal with in the Situation Room.
Biden was mumbling through a speech touting “Bidenomics” in the South Court Auditorium at the Executive Office Building on Monday when he made an abrupt announcement about his need to take off.
“I apologize, I have to go to the Situation Room with another issue that I have to deal with,” he said.
President Biden as he wrapped up his remarks on the economy, tech hub investments and “Bidenomics”: “I apologize have to go to the Situation Room with another issue that I have to deal with.” It is being reported that Hamas just released two more hostages. pic.twitter.com/Kvqz6pA9Ws
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 23, 2023
The speech “began around 3:11 p.m. ET on Monday, but was ended shortly before 3:18 p.m.,” Newsweek reported.
As he made his exit, reporters asked about his support of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in exchange for hostages that the terrorists are holding in Gaza. While he seemed to dismiss the idea of a ceasefire, Biden said “we should have those hostages released, and then we can talk.”
BREAKING REPORT: President Biden says there WILL NOT be a ceasefire from Israel until after the hostages are released, CUTS REMARKS SHORT to head to the situation room..
We should have those hostages released, then we’ll talk.’
Biden concluded his speech at an event intended to… pic.twitter.com/uiRCu3KJEI
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 23, 2023
Minutes later, it was reported by the Associated Press that Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, two hostages from the Nir Oz kibbutz were released by Hamas.
Social media was set ablaze with speculation – and concern – about what could be the emergency that required the 80-year-old commander-in-chief’s attention.
US bases where just #attacked in #iraq by #IRAN pres biden stops speech and says he has to go to the situation room. Is the US going to #war ?? pic.twitter.com/d66UMYk1RG
— VETERAN NEWS GUY (@LUNCBURNER) October 23, 2023
Newsweek noted that “some social media users suggested the speech may have been cut short in response to rumors of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin having a heart attack or reports of strikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East.”
“The Pentagon confirmed that there had been two attempted drone attacks on the Al-Tanf base in Syria, which were ‘taken down,'” Newsweek reported.
Others on social media wondered if the emergency was “due to attacks on U.S. installations in the Middle East by Iranian-backed Islamist militants, who have been conducting strikes on American positions for six consecutive days. The attacks prompted an increased U.S. military presence in the eastern Mediterranean to act as a deterrent,” according to the outlet.
BREAKING: In the middle of a Speech Biden has to leave for the Situation room:
“I have to go to the situation room. There’s an issue I need to deal with.”
It appears that there may be multiple attacks on Americans forces in Syria.
– Sources are reporting an explosion in the… pic.twitter.com/lDa1XYIVhQ
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 23, 2023
He isn’t supposed to say that part out loud; he should excuse himself not tell everyone in the world that he’s going to the situation room.
— Jericho (@JerichoXVI) October 23, 2023
Many social media users thought to find some humor in the moment, sparking a noticeable trend on X:
I’m going to start calling my bathroom “the situation room” now, too.
— Gabby25 (@Gabby2Angels) October 23, 2023
I think he meant the shituation room
— Bilbo Baggins (@Jbanklestankle1) October 23, 2023
The potty is in the Situation Room.
— TexasOilRises (@courtney_ap) October 23, 2023
Joe Biden’s “situation room” pic.twitter.com/P5r2zfIDVg
— Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) October 23, 2023