Joe Biden accidentally calls Proud Boys the 'poor boys' during US Presidential debate... and the internet loves it

The Democratic presidential candidate misspoke as he brought up the far-right group during at attack on Donald Trump
Matt Watts23 October 2020

Joe Biden accidentally referred to the Proud Boys as ‘the poor boys' as he attacked Donald Trump's record on tackling racism during the US Presidential debate.

Mr Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, was responding to Mr Trump’s claim that he was the "least racist person in the room" as both candidates fielded questions on racial issues and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Bringing up his record and refusal to denounce white supremacist groups, Mr Biden said the president “pours fuel on every racist fire".

He said: “He started his campaign coming down the escalators that he was going to get rid of those Mexican rapists. He banned Muslims because they are Muslims.

Donald Trump said he was the ‘least racist person in the room’ during the final  presidential debate
Getty Images

“He has made everything worse across the board. He said about the Poor Boys, the last time we were on stage here, he said ‘I tell them to stand down and stand ready. Come on. This guy is a dog whistle about as big as a foghorn.”

Mr Biden was referring to the president’s controversial response at the first presidential debate on September 29 when he failed to condemn the Proud Boys , saying they should “stand back and stand by”. He also said: “Somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left.”

The apparent gaffe over the name of the far-right group was met with delight by his supporters online, with many suggesting they now embrace the new name when referring to the group.

“Did Biden just accidentally call the Proud Boys the “Poor Boys”? Amazing. Let’s call them that,” Helana Darwin tweeted.

“The poor boys thing ruled,” MSNBC journalist Chris Hayes said.

“Whether #PoorBoys was intentional or not, it’s amazing.” wrote journalist David Griner.

In reference to Mr Biden mocking Mr Trump as being "Abraham Lincoln" - a joke which Mr Trump appeared to miss - Journalist Noam Blum said: “I’m naming my new band Abe Lincoln and the Poor Boys.”

But some social media users criticised Mr Biden over the gaffe.

Youtuber Steven Crowder tweeted: “Biden, clearly deteriorating, refers to the “Poor Boys” hahahah!”

US Elections 2020: Trump v Biden Final Presidential Debate

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Mr Trump defended his record on race at Thursday night’s primetime duel in Nashville, Tennessee, which was the final televised debate ahead of the election on November 3.

He said: "I have criminal justice reform done, and prison reform, and opportunities, I took care of Black colleges and universities. I don't know what to say. They could say anything.

"It makes me sad. I am the least racist person. I can't even see the audience, because it is so dark, but I don't care who's in the audience, I'm the least race in person in this room."

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