Watch: A Confused Biden Misses G20 'Family Picture' in Unusual Incident

The White House attributed the mishap to “logistical issues.”

Meanwhile, Bloomberg News described the event as a representation of how “the West appeared in disarray.”

Regardless of perspective, President Joe Biden’s performance at the G20 meeting in Brazil on Monday turned heads globally, giving critics plenty of material to dissect.

Biden, joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, missed the summit’s signature “family picture” taken in Rio de Janeiro.

According to USA Today, the trio arrived just as other world leaders were dispersing from the photo op.

“Due to logistical issues, they took the photo early before all the leaders arrived,” a White House spokesperson explained, per USA Today.

However, Bloomberg painted a more critical picture, quoting Brazilian organizers who suggested that Biden and the others simply arrived late.

“But the symbolism was unmistakable,” the outlet observed. “The lack of unity among the leaders is a reflection of how difficult it has been to get everyone on the same page at the summit.”

For Americans watching, Biden’s apparent disorientation stood out even more than that of Trudeau or Meloni. Unfortunately, such moments have become a familiar feature of Biden’s public appearances.

A C-SPAN video captured the scene. Around the 20-second mark, world leaders are seen holding hands for the photo. Then, just before the 1-minute mark, audible sounds suggest the late arrival of Biden, Trudeau, and Meloni.

“They’re telling them to wait for Biden,” a reporter can be heard commenting in the footage.

The video shows Biden, alongside Trudeau and Meloni, initially walking away from the photo area. At around 2:40, Biden turns back, seemingly uncertain about where to go next. By 3:20, after some consultation, Biden proceeds in his original direction—long after Trudeau and Meloni have moved on.

Bloomberg speculated on potential reasons for the incident, including Biden possibly wanting to avoid being in the same photo as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who represented President Vladimir Putin at the summit.

Regardless of the rationale, the situation failed to project an image of decisive leadership.

Social media reactions were quick to pile on:

Inevitably, comparisons emerged to Biden’s recent appearance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru.

As The Associated Press highlighted, Biden arrived late for the group photo there as well. His placement—alphabetically determined—put him on the far right of the image, while Chinese President Xi Jinping stood in the prime central spot alongside Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office, this was likely Biden’s final appearance at either gathering.