Joe Biden's Reaction to Marjorie Taylor Greene Breaks the Internet

Video showing President Joe Biden's visceral reaction to being approached by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ahead of his State of the Union speech on Thursday has gone viral on social media.

As Biden was entering the House, the Georgia Republican approached him wearing a red MAGA hat. Biden looked shocked and appeared to recoil from her.

The Context

Biden used his State of the Union address to issue a rallying cry against Donald Trump, who has all but won the contest to be the Republican presidential candidate in November. The president accused his predecessor of "bowing down" to Russia and accused him of seeking to "bury the truth" about the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot.

Trump hit back on social media, accusing Biden of making "an angry, polarizing, and hate-filled speech."

What We Know

One clip of the exchange was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by digital consultant B.W. Carlin, where it received over 2.3 million views and 49,000 likes. A second clip focusing in on Biden's reaction was shared on the same platform by Tim Hogan, a former Democratic political consultant, where it received 1.1 million views.

Greene then handed Biden a badge bearing the name of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who police believe was killed by a Venezuelan national in Athens, Georgia, on February 22. After Biden took the badge, Greene said: "Laken Riley say her name." A clip of the exchange was shared on X by Donald Trump Jr. where it racked up over 600,000 views.

Newsweek contacted the White House press office and Greene by email and telephone and voicemail message at 2:45 a.m. ET on Friday. This article will be updated if either decides to comment.

During his address Biden held up the badge Greene gave him and addressed Riley's murder directly though he appeared to call her 'Lincoln Riley.' Biden described the student as "an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. That's right. But how many thousands of people are being killed by legals? To her parents, I say, my heart goes out to you, having lost children myself. I understand."

However Greene responded with anger on X, commenting: "Joe Biden's policies killed Laken Riley. He finally tried to say her name, but couldn't even say it correctly. It's an absolute disgrace."

Riley's parents had been invited to attend the State of the Union address by Republican Rep. Mike Collins but declined according to the congressman.

Greene also claimed the House Sergeant at Arms asked her to leave the chamber unless she removed her red MAGA hat but she refused.

Views

The footage of Biden's response to seeing Greene as he arrived in the House chamber sparked a mixed reaction on social media.

Jack Cocchiarella, a self-styled 'Gen Z Democrat,' wrote: "President Biden's reaction to Marjorie Taylor Greene looking like an idiot is the funniest that happened tonight."

Another X user commented: "Holy s***. Marjorie Taylor Greene is wearing a MAGA hat and trying to get President Biden's attention. How he handled it was pure class."

Greene herself posted: "Joe Biden has no excuse. I handed him a pin to remember Laken Riley. He refused to SAY HER NAME!"

Update 3/8/24, 4:53 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and context.