That Fella Down Under: Biden forgets Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's name

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, September 16

US President Joe Biden’s just your average Joe, it would seem. And he did what all average Joes do—he forgot someone’s name. Only that “someone” isn’t your regular John Smith—he’s the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.  

Biden was addressing a press conference on security ties with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australia’s Morrison. And when he came to Morrison, he seemed to have blanked out on his name.

"Thank you, Boris and... and I want to thank… that fellow Down Under,” Biden said, turning to Morrison. Morrison shot back quickly: “Thank you very much, pal".

Media commentators were quick to point out the blunder, and soon, the hashtag #ThatFellaDownUnder became a top trend. Some Australians bristled, but most saw an opportunity to take a swipe at Morrison, whose popularity seems to have plummeted since the Covid lockdowns. 

Joe Biden forgets Scott Morrison’s name like our Prime Minister forgets everywhere that isn’t Sydney. #PMforNSW #ThatFellaDownUnder #Auspol
pic.twitter.com/Wp6HrsuD7h

— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorMade) September 15, 2021

Slightly awkward…😬 https://t.co/L52gKNzlua

— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) September 15, 2021

Surely “That fella Down Under” is the equivalent of running into someone in the pub whose name you can’t remember and can only come up with “Maate”.

— Kirstin Ferguson (@kirstinferguson) September 15, 2021

OMG Biden calling Morrison #thatfelladownunder is pure magic. Perfectly demonstrates how irrelevant and unmemorable that snake oil salesman really is on the world stage.

Just the oafish idiot who denies climate change and was kissing Trump's ass for four years. #auspol

— Jacoby (@adamajacoby) September 15, 2021

shouldn't it be a rule that you're not allowed to buy nuclear subs unless you CAN PRONOUNCE NUCLEAR?!#ThatFellaDownUnder #Scottythefukwit pic.twitter.com/egjW205NGg

— KCandtheLabradorBand (@KC_LabradorBand) September 16, 2021

#ThatFellaDownUnder we despise him too Joe pic.twitter.com/0v6oQXDgro

— Sarah Halls🌏BLM MeWe/Refugees/Dance/INFP/VG💚XR🎀 (@clearticulation) September 15, 2021

Smokin'Joe just did what 60% of Australians want, forget #ThatFellaDownUnder exists pic.twitter.com/DGzMHZiMN9

— Chris Moore (@GoWILDTech) September 15, 2021

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