Joe Biden Messed Up Key Policy Detail In Las Vegas Speech

President Joe Biden has been in Las Vegas this week for a whirlwind campaign tour intended to counter his opponent’s messaging at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

To emphasize his commitment to combating the drivers of inflation and economic hardship, Biden on Tuesday unveiled a plan to cap rent increases at 5% for large landlords.

But on Tuesday afternoon, during remarks to the NAACP’s national convention, Biden got one of the basic features of the plan wrong.

“Look, folks, the idea that corporate-owned housing is able to raise your rent three, four hundred bucks a month — well, I’m about to announce, they can’t raise it more than $55,” he said.

Biden paused for a second before saying $55, suggesting he was searching for the right number. (The plan would cap increases at 5%, not a specific dollar amount.)

In response to an inquiry from HuffPost, the Biden campaign did not directly address his misstatement or how it might affect efforts to demonstrate his mental agility in a contest with Trump.

“Yesterday, President Biden showed his commitment to bringing the country together as he laid out his vision to stand up for civil rights, grow an economy where hard work pays off, and make housing more affordable,” Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement.

“Meanwhile at the RNC, Donald Trump and his MAGA allies doubled down on extremism, division, and their Project 2025 agenda, making it clear that they are only interested in helping billionaires while turning Americans against each other. The choice couldn’t be more clear.”

Biden cited the correct number later in his remarks. But on three occasions, he also lost his train of thought, finishing an incomplete sentence with the word