An unexpected guest stole the spotlight during President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to Children’s National Hospital.
The Bidens visited the hospital in Washington, D.C. on Friday (December 20) afternoon to spread holiday cheer to the patients and their families.
While the First Lady captivated the audience with her reading of the classic tale, Twas the Night Before Christmas, a small child in a light blue jumper helped provide some much-needed entertainment.
Watch the moment below:
The toddler, who was sucking on a pacifier, approached the couple and gave the president a small red ball.
The 82-year-old then gently held the ball in his hands and attempted to quiet the curious child by inviting them to sit on his lap.
The toddler did so before quickly wriggling free and left. They then returned and threw a small ball at the president.
“Reading and entertainment,” Jill, 73, quipped after she finished reading the poem.
The hospital visit continued a historical tradition of the President’s wives lifting the spirits of children who are too sick to be at home for Christmas.
Children’s Hospital CEO Michelle Riley-Brown praised Biden for tagging along to the annual event. “We’ve never had a president join for four years straight,” she said.
The president then asked permission to make a brief statement and sought to lift the children’s spirits.
“This is a tough time to be here,” he said, acknowledging that he knew from personal experience as first wife Neilia and daughter Naomi were tragically killed in a Christmastime car crash in 1972 – the same year he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
The horrific accident left young sons Beau and Hunter injured. Biden spent hours at a Wilmington hospital over the holidays during their recovery.
“Keep the hope,” he told the patients at the hospital. “You’re in our prayers, you’re in our thoughts, and thank you for letting us join you.”
The president, who is leaving office in one month, then pointed to a child sitting in the front row, saying there is a future president here someday.
“There’s a future president! There’s a president right there! So anyway, you’re in your thoughts, you’re in our prayers,” he added.
He also offered the microphone to his new young friend, who chose not to speak, as he instead playfully spoke into the mic, “Ouah-ouah-ouah-ouah”.
