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As tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated with Putin's diversion of Russian troops to pro-Russia separatist regions of Ukraine, President Joe Biden delivered remarks announcing new sanctions to counteract what he called "the beginning of a Russian invasion."
These included sanctions on Russia's sovereign debt, which Biden said would effectively cut the nation off from western financing, as well as a halt in the development of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. He also accused Putin of "a flagrant violation of international law" for declaring the pro-Russia separatist regions of Ukraine—Luhansk and Donetsk—as sovereign nations before sending Russian troops there.
Biden concluded:
"[T]here is still time to avert the worse-case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people if they move as suggested. The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy, if it is serious."
Then, the President walked away from the podium.
That exit appeared to enrage Republican strategist Jake Schneider, who accused Biden of turning his back on the press and shuffling away, saying the image of Biden exiting a room was emblematic of his "failed presidency."
Once again, Biden turns his back on the press and shuffles away in what has become the defining image of his failed presidency pic.twitter.com/n326oegmDp
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) February 22, 2022
People were confused, to say the least, and the mockery was swift.
Hahaha what? was he supposed to moonwalk? https://t.co/6xSZxqW67K
— ⚓️Imani Gandy⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) February 22, 2022
George Washington, the father of our country, would only exit rooms by doing cartwheels. Abraham Lincoln would hop on one leg. Ronald Reagan would skip out the door.
Now those men were leaders! https://t.co/rjKdyMRDBl
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) February 22, 2022
i mean everybody leaves rooms jake https://t.co/ttp9BVTHhp
— Elizabeth Bruenig (@ebruenig) February 22, 2022
So ... like he was supposed to back out of the room?
Or he stands at the podium until all the press leaves?
I mean, how SHOULD a president depart a room? https://t.co/eSNfy5ymeO
— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) February 23, 2022
He’s supposed to shuffle backwards and hope he finds the exit, eye contact maintained with the press at all times, never blinking. That will be the day Biden becomes president https://t.co/ktVWYk0gmI
— Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) February 22, 2022
How Jake expects a real president to walk away: https://t.co/vIOYcElAEL pic.twitter.com/3qrw0HEhMO
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 22, 2022
Social media users hadn't forgotten how many times Trump, whom Schneider supports, did the same.
Imagine having Trump 20’ in your bio, tweeting this, and then having Trump praise Putin for invading Ukraine. Clownery! https://t.co/sd8w4DqmgG
— Daniel Aubry (@Aubs89) February 23, 2022
Before anyone starts to bring up pics like this let’s be clear: trump wasn’t turning his back on the press, he was he turning to avoid farting on the flag. He’s a patriot and his farts are frequent and would melt old glory. https://t.co/YH3pr8H1xx pic.twitter.com/JUds4OkBka
— ryakehell (@atdotcomma) February 22, 2022
https://t.co/Zqitnmadg9
— Maudi63 (@maudi63) February 22, 2022
How quickly they forget.