In a speech on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to the Grand Canyon as “one of Earth’s nine wonders” before correcting himself and stating that it is actually one of the seven wonders of the world. Despite this gaffe, Biden went on to promote a recent executive order that designates over a million acres of nearby land as a national monument.
Speaking to an audience in Arizona, Biden described the Grand Canyon as “one of the Earth’s nine wonders, wonders the world.” He later acknowledged his mistake and clarified that it is one of the seven wonders of the world. The president’s speech was in support of an executive order he signed, which sets aside 917,000 acres of public land around the Grand Canyon National Park as a new national monument called Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni, or Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
While the move was praised by indigenous groups for safeguarding sacred lands, critics, including Senator Mitt Romney, pointed out that the designation would restrict uranium mining and place burdensome restrictions on cattle ranchers who used the land for grazing. The Biden administration, however, assured that existing mining, grazing, and hunting rights would be respected.
In addition to the national monument designation, Biden also announced a $44 million investment to strengthen climate resilience across the national park system. The funds for this investment would come from the Inflation Reduction Act. The president emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, particularly in the context of recent heatwaves, and expressed his commitment to delivering on his administration’s green promises.
Biden’s speech and his apparent struggle with reading the teleprompter highlight his frequent verbal missteps. At 80 years old, he is the oldest US president in history, and concerns about his mental sharpness have been raised by both Democrats and Republicans. A poll conducted in June found that only 32% of voters believed Biden had the mental acuity required for the presidency, while 54% believed his 2020 rival, former President Donald Trump, had the necessary sharpness.
Despite criticism of his verbal slip-ups, Biden continues to pursue his agenda and make policy announcements. The executive order for the Grand Canyon national monument and the investment in climate resilience are examples of his administration’s commitment to environmental protection and conservation efforts. However, his gaffes and misstatements continue to generate media attention and raise questions about his ability to effectively communicate and govern.
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