In a surprising twist during his annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon speech, President Joe Biden found himself entangled in a pop culture mix-up, mistakenly substituting Taylor Swift with Britney Spears. The presidential fumble occurred as Biden reflected on the challenges faced by the pardoned turkeys, Liberty and Bell, on their journey to the White House.
Referencing Beyoncé’s record-breaking 2023 world tour, Biden stumbled when discussing Swift’s Eras tour, drawing a blank on her name and momentarily confusing her with Spears. “Or, or Britney’s tour,” he added, quipping about the warm weather in Brazil where Swift’s tour is currently underway at Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos.
Swift’s Eras tour has garnered attention not only for its monumental success but also for unfortunate incidents, including the recent death of a fan, Ana Clara Benevides Machado, due to extreme heat during a concert in Rio de Janeiro. Swift, deeply affected by the tragedy, addressed the loss on her Instagram Stories, expressing her devastation and postponing the following night’s performance to Monday.
During the rescheduled show, Swift paid tribute to Machado by performing the grief-stricken ballad “Bigger Than the Whole Sky.” Despite the challenges, Swift’s Eras tour continues to break records, contrasting with Britney Spears, who has been making headlines in 2023, notably with the release of her memoir, The Woman In Me, in October.
President Biden’s momentary slip, although lighthearted, adds a humorous touch to the news, highlighting the unexpected blend of politics and pop culture during the Thanksgiving festivities.