If you thought Joe Biden's penchant for groping unsuspecting adult women and sniffing their hair was creepy, just wait until you see this...
Despite his promise to be more "mindful and respectful" of others' (especially womens') personal space, the former vice president oozed sleaze during an interaction with a 10-year-old girl during an American Federation of Teachers Town Hall in Houston.
After the young girl asked Biden a question, he exclaimed "I'll bet you're as bright as you are good-looking," before leading her over to meet the reporters in the room, which produced the following photo. During the impromptu meet-and-greet, Biden was photographed whispering something in the young girls' ear.
Perhaps realizing how his behavior might be construed, Biden offered a few platitudes to the reporters at the event.
"By the way, as these guys will tell you, I’m not always their favorite subject, but the truth of the matter is, the reason why we are who we are is called a free press," he said.
The interaction was caught on video.
“I bet you are as bright as you are good looking”
— Saladino for Congress (@JoeySalads) May 29, 2019
Biden to a 10 year old pic.twitter.com/Vs9f1B22pz
The incident elicited a stream of stunned reactions from disgusted twitter users.
"I'll bet you're as bright as you are good looking."
— Zeus (@EvanLHarris2) May 29, 2019
Biden to 10 year old girl.
Holy Crap!!!
That's like a cheesy pick-up line.
For a 10 year old girl.
In a somewhat odd moment at tonight's AFT town hall, Biden tells a 10-year-old girl, “I’ll bet you’re as bright as you are good-looking." He takes her over to the assembled reporters, then stands behind her and puts his hands on her shoulders while he's talking.
— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) May 28, 2019
DNC: Joe all you need to do to be president is not touch women in public
— smol beanie sigel (@boobie_styles) May 29, 2019
Biden: damn that is one sexy 10 year old
This is Joe Biden earlier today at a campaign event. Even after severe backlash, he still can’t stop himself from being really creepy. He also told this 10 year old girl “I bet you’re as bright as you are good looking”
— Michael (@Michael_kings_) May 29, 2019
He has learned absolutely nothing. #JoeBiden #2020Elections pic.twitter.com/o4r37BMCls
When he filmed his non-apology apology video shortly before launching his campaign, Biden acknowledged that the "boundaries of protecting personal space have been reset."
While that is most definitely true, complimenting a 10-year-old prepubescent girl on her good looks has never been acceptable.