3 years ago, Joe Biden called an Iowa voter a “damn liar” and challenged him to a pushup contest after the man questioned Biden’s age as well as his son’s business dealings in Ukraine.
Merle Gorman, now 86-year-old veteran, who previously served in the United States Marine Corps and is also a retired farmer, made international news after he accused Biden of selling access to the Presidency by sending his son Hunter to Ukraine to work for a gas company Burisma Holdings.
The comment caused Biden to blow up in a rage, labeling the elderly Gorman as “a damn liar”, “too old to vote for me” and maybe, just maybe, “fat”.
Gorman said the 2020 candidate is too old to be president and compared Biden’s diplomatic efforts in Ukraine to Trump’s.
“We all know Trump has been messing around in Ukraine over there, holding their foreign aid for them to come up saying they’re going to investigate you. We know all about that. He’s no backbone. We know that.” the man said.
“But you on the other hand sent your son over there to get a job and work for a gas company that he had no experience with gas or nothing in order to get access for the president. You’re selling access to the president just like he does …”
Biden then shot back.
“You’re a damn liar, man. That’s not true and no one has ever said that. No one has proved that.” Biden said. “No one has said my son has done anything wrong and I did not on any occasion.”
“You said I set up my son to work in an oil company. Isn’t that what you said? Get your words straight, Jack,” Biden said.
The man claimed he heard the allegation on MSNBC. “You don’t hear that on MSNBC,” Biden said. “You do not hear that at all.”
Biden then challenged the man — who had also questioned Biden’s fitness for the White House given his age — to feats of strength, endurance, and intelligence.
“I’m not sedentary,” said then the 77-year-old Biden. “You want to check my shape on, let’s do push-ups together, let’s run, let’s do whatever you want to do, let’s take an IQ test.” He also apparently added, during the exchange, “But look, fat, here’s the deal,” (After numerous media outlets reported the remark, Biden’s campaign claimed he said “fact.”)
“Well, I’m not voting for you,” the man said.
“Well, I knew you weren’t,” Biden said. “You’re too old to vote for me.” The crowd cheered. The man sat down and Biden moved on. Watch the video here