President Joe Biden spent his last Halloween in Washington D.C. by hosting a trick-or-treat event at the White House on Wednesday evening, where he greeted families and playfully kissed and coddled babies. But one moment really captured the attention of the internet, when the commander-in-chief jokingly took a chomp out of the leg of a baby dressed like a chicken.
The surreal, yet funny moment comes less than a week out from the highly-contentious 2024 presidential election that will likely determine the trajectory of the country going forward, underscoring that we are indeed living in the strangest timeline.
MSNBC digital producer Deanna Schwartz shared footage to social media on Wednesday evening, in which Biden can be seen smiling and laughing with the child—who, for what its worth, seemed delighted by the president’s attention—while the music from Jaws, of all things, played.
“I can’t stop laughing at this clip of Biden greeting a baby dressed as a chicken at the White House Halloween event while the most OMINOUS music plays,” Schwartz captioned the video, which has been viewed more than 200,000 times.
I can't stop laughing at this clip of Biden greeting a baby dressed as a chicken at the WH Halloween event while the most OMINOUS music plays pic.twitter.com/RNkfh91E4k
— Deanna Schwartz (@deannaschwartzz) October 30, 2024
As the clip made its way around the internet, the reception seemed squarely divided, depending on which side of the political aisle one aligns with; with one camp applauding a sweet old grandpa for making a baby laugh and the other suggesting something much more nefarious. However, given that the New York Post reported that the Biden made pleasant small talk with the baby’s mother after, it seems like it was all most likely a lot of fuss over nothing.
In other words, let’s take this as a reminder that a little levity never hurt anyone, especially not a baby.
