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Joe Biden looks confused as he tries to explain why he hasn't visited Ohio amid criticism for ignoring disaster

On February 3, the train derailment led to the evacuation of over 5,000 people in Ohio's East Paletine as toxic chemicals were released into the air

OHIO: President Biden struggled to come up with appropriate words while addressing the East Palestine train derailment. While answering questions related to why he has not visited the site which has led to several people being exposed to toxic chemical substances, the 80-year-old answered that he may not be visiting the city anytime soon. “At this point, I'm not,” said the President before appearing to be confused and challenged to complete his sentence.

“I did a whole video, I mean, um, what the hell, on,” Biden managed to spill before visibly looking strained and appearing someone to complete the answer for him. “Zoom?” one of the reporters said, in an attempt to get him started again with his response. “Zoom! All I can think of every time I think of Zoom is that song in my generation, Who's Zoomin' Who,” Biden said, which was in reference to the Aretha Franklin song. This unusual press address has come amid criticism that the President has ignored the people of the community with 'a slow response to the disaster.’ On February 3, the train derailment led to the evacuation of over 5,000 people since toxic chemicals were released into the air.

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'I've had a long meeting'

Recently, The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has initiated an investigation against Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for his reported 'apathy' as it took him 20 days to visit the city. During his exchange with a reporter, Biden further explained and defended his decision to visit Kyiv instead of checking back on his own people in East Palestine.

“I've had a long meeting with my team and what they're doing,” Biden said. “You know, we were there two hours after the train went down. Two hours. I've spoken with every single major figure in both Pennsylvania and in Ohio. And so the idea that we're not engaged is simply not there. And initially, there was not a request for me to go out before I was heading over to Kyiv. So, I'm keeping very close tabs on it. We're doing all we can,” he weighed.

‘Betrayed by the Biden administration'

Biden's zoom meeting reference during that odd exchange was with Buttigieg, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Secretary of the Department of Health Xavier Becerra, and FEMA Director Deanne Criswell on Friday. Former president Trump, however, didn’t miss the opportunity to slam the Biden administration and visited East Palestine while delivering food and water to residents, reports Daily Mail. He called on the government saying, the city has been ‘betrayed’ by the Biden administration. “We stand with you,” Trump echoed to the East Palestine Fire Department. “We pray for you, and we'll stay with you in your fight to help answer and [get] accountability that you deserve," he added.