Logan Reed
While addressing the latest economic report, President Joe Biden claimed that 350 million Americans have been vaccinated against COVID-19. This statement caused some controversy, as the U.S. population was estimated to be around 332 million at the time. Many people on social media pointed out that the number of vaccinated individuals exceeded the country's total population. It is likely that Biden intended to say that 350 million vaccine doses had been administered, as the CDC reported a similar figure by August 5.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of claim | August 6, 2021 |
| Number of Americans vaccinated | 350 million |
| US population | Approximately 332 million |
| Number of vaccine doses administered | Approximately 350 million |
| Biden's goal for July 4 | 70% of US adults with one shot and 160 million fully vaccinated |
| Result by July 4 | 70% of adults with one shot, 156.5 million fully vaccinated |
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What You'll Learn
Biden's gaffes compared to Trump's
Joe Biden has himself admitted to being a "gaffe machine". During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden made a remark to a Black radio host, Charlamagne tha God, that many found offensive: "Well I’m telling you, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black". He later apologised, saying, "I shouldn’t have been so cavalier".
Biden has also been criticised for his handling of the Anita Hill–Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings in 1991. During the hearings, Biden pushed an obviously reluctant Hill to say the name of a pornographic film star alluded to by Thomas. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Biden said he owed Hill an apology, and she told the Washington Post that she appreciated "some parts" of his apologies but that he still did not take full ownership of his role in what happened.
In addition, Biden has been accused of plagiarism on multiple occasions. At Syracuse University College of Law, he used five pages from a published law review article without quotation or attribution, citing the source in only a single footnote. He also dropped out of the 1988 presidential race after reports that he had copied a speech delivered by British Labour Party politician Neil Kinnock.
While Biden's gaffes are well-documented, some commentators argue that they are trivial compared to the misleading statements and "lies" made by former President Donald Trump. Trump himself has criticised Biden's gaffes, saying, "When I say something that you might think is a gaffe, it's on purpose; it's not a gaffe. When Biden says something dumb, it's because he's dumb." However, it is worth noting that Trump's tenure was marred by numerous controversies, including his role in inciting the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, as his supporters refused to accept Biden's victory in the 2020 election.
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Biden's intent to encourage vaccination
During a speech addressing the latest economic report, President Joe Biden claimed that "350 million" people in the U.S. have been vaccinated against COVID-19. This statement, however, was factually inaccurate, as the total U.S. population was estimated to be around 332 million at the time.
While this mistake sparked jokes and criticism on social media, it is believed that Biden's intent was to emphasise the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. By highlighting the large number of vaccinations carried out, Biden aimed to encourage more people to get vaccinated. He emphasised that "virtually no one has died" as a direct result of the vaccination and that the pandemic is primarily impacting the unvaccinated.
Biden's statement can be interpreted as part of a broader strategy to increase vaccination rates in the country. The Biden administration had previously set vaccination goals for July 4th, aiming for 70% of adults to have received at least one shot and 160 million adults to be fully vaccinated. While these targets were narrowly missed, the administration continued to promote vaccination as a crucial tool to combat the pandemic and protect public health.
Biden's emphasis on the high number of vaccinations and their safety record aligns with a broader strategy of utilising data and scientific evidence to encourage vaccination. By presenting factual information and dispelling misconceptions, the administration aims to build trust and address vaccine hesitancy among the public. This approach is particularly important in reaching populations that may have concerns or scepticism about the vaccines.
In summary, Biden's intent behind the statement about 350 million vaccinations was likely to reassure the public about the safety and widespread adoption of the COVID-19 vaccines. By emphasising the large number of people who have been vaccinated without adverse effects, Biden aimed to encourage more individuals to get vaccinated and protect themselves against the virus. This statement reflects the administration's ongoing efforts to increase vaccination rates and mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
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Census Bureau's population estimate
In 2021, Joe Biden stated that 350 million Americans had been vaccinated, which was 20 million more than the entire population of the United States. This statement was deemed a “Freudian slip” by the president.
The US Census Bureau is responsible for providing population estimates and projections for the country. These estimates are conducted at different geographic levels, including the national, state, county, city, and town levels, as well as for Puerto Rico. The Census Bureau collects data on various demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, migration, ancestry, language use, and veterans' status. This data is used to produce population estimates and projections.
The Census Bureau's population estimates are based on specific methodologies. For example, intercensal estimates are produced once every 10 years after the decennial census to revise the previous decade's estimates based on the most current census results. The 2020 intercensal estimates, for instance, were created without knowledge of the 2020 Census outcomes.
The Census Bureau also offers vintage population estimates, which are estimates for a specific year. For instance, the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates provide data on the projected population and housing unit changes by county and region. These estimates help illustrate the growth of the US population over time, with the country's population being nearly 123 times larger in 2024 than it was in 1780, the nearest estimate to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
In addition to population estimates, the Census Bureau also produces population projections for future dates. These projections consider assumptions about future births, deaths, and migration patterns to forecast the population's size and composition by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. The Census Bureau's comprehensive data collection and estimation methods play a crucial role in understanding the country's demographic dynamics.
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Twitter reactions to Biden's claim
Twitter users were quick to react to US President Joe Biden's claim that "over 350 million Americans have already been vaccinated". Many pointed out that the number was not only incorrect but also exceeded the total US population. Some attributed the statement to a simple gaffe or slip of the tongue, while others mocked the president for his error.
One Twitter user, Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull), highlighted the discrepancy between Biden's claim and the actual US population, tweeting: "Joe Biden just claimed '350 million' Americans have been vaccinated. There are only 328 million people in the United States." Another user, @VdgaZPiD9j, joked that "106% of Americans have been vaccinated. Good work."
Some Twitter commentators speculated about the nature of Biden's mistake, with one Yahoo! News article noting that the president had caught his own error, referring to it as a "Freudian slip". However, this self-correction did not stop the wave of reactions on Twitter, with users both serious and humorous in their responses to the president's claim.
The White House also faced scrutiny over the statement, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre being accused of calling out Fox News in particular. Meanwhile, the Biden administration continued to face questions about the president's unscripted comments, which they had frequently had to clarify in the past. This incident added to a list of gaffes that the president had become known for, including some that had been race-related.
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Biden's previous vaccination goals
In August 2021, Joe Biden stated that 350 million Americans had been vaccinated, which was 20 million more than the entire US population. This statement was deemed a Freudian slip by the president, who quickly corrected himself.
Prior to this, Biden's vaccination goals had focused on achieving a certain level of population immunity through vaccination. In May 2021, for example, Biden set a goal of having 70% of US adults receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 160 million adults fully vaccinated by July 4, 2021. This goal was largely achieved, with 67% of adults receiving at least one dose and over 150 million adults fully vaccinated by the target date.
Biden's administration also set a goal of vaccinating 28 million children aged 5 to 11 years old. This age group became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in November 2021, and the administration worked to make the vaccine easily accessible to this younger population through pediatricians, children's hospitals, and family pharmacies.
Another key vaccination goal for the Biden administration was ensuring equity in vaccine distribution and uptake. They aimed to increase vaccine access and acceptance in underserved communities, particularly those with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and those living in rural areas. To achieve this, they allocated additional resources, established community vaccination centers, and partnered with trusted community organizations to address hesitancy and provide education.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on Friday, August 6, 2021, President Joe Biden twice claimed that "350 million" people in the U.S. have been vaccinated.
Biden was addressing the latest economic report and veered off-topic to call for more people to get the coronavirus vaccine, saying that the number of vaccinated people is proof of vaccine safety.
The reaction to Biden's claim was mixed. Some commentators on social media speculated about the nature of the gaffe, while others joked that Biden was "vaccinating utero" or that the U.S. was "overpopulated". It is likely that Biden intended to say that 350 million vaccine doses had been administered, as this was closer to the true number of administered doses at the time.
