Former President Joe Biden had a slightly awkward moment during a portrait unveiling at Syracuse University’s College of Law on Tuesday, when he spotted someone in the crowd who reminded him of a very familiar face.
While speaking, Biden paused and joked that he kept wanting to turn around and ask, “Barack, what are you doing?”—a reference to former President Barack Obama.
The comparison, though, wasn’t about Obama actually being there. Biden was referring to Jeffrey Scruggs, the chairman of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees and a former university president. According to Biden, something about Scruggs’ appearance brought Obama to mind, and he decided to call attention to it in real time.
What followed was a moment that felt a bit drawn out. Biden began motioning for Scruggs to come up to the podium, repeatedly calling, “Come here, come here,” while gesturing toward him. Scruggs appeared hesitant at first but eventually made his way up, smiling as the audience watched the exchange unfold.
Once Scruggs joined him, Biden doubled down on the comparison, telling the crowd that he felt like they should be standing on opposite sides of the stage, as if recreating an old dynamic. He then asked the audience, “Doesn’t he look like Barack?” Scruggs didn’t seem entirely convinced, shaking his head while the crowd reacted.
Joe Biden is under fire for saying a University Trustee looks like Barack Obama.
Credit: C-SPAN pic.twitter.com/BSZtHlqWr0
Was Biden's comparison of Scruggs to Obama appropriate?— TMZ (@TMZ) April 14, 2026
Biden wrapped the moment with a light compliment, telling Scruggs, “As they say, you’ve done good, fella,” to which Scruggs replied casually, “Well, you know, I try.”
According to reports, there was a bit of context behind the exchange. Scruggs had apparently mentioned backstage that his daughter once wanted him to ask Biden whether he resembled Obama. The onstage moment may have been Biden’s way of answering that question publicly, even if it came off as a bit clumsy.
The reaction online was mixed. Some people agreed with Biden’s observation, pointing out similarities in features like hairstyle and face shape. Others weren’t as comfortable with the comparison, criticizing it as tone-deaf or inappropriate.
Either way, the moment stood out less for what was said and more for how it played out—an unscripted interaction that landed somewhere between lighthearted and awkward, depending on who was watching.
