President Joe Biden’s Halloween event at the White House took an unexpected and slightly bizarre twist this year when he was caught on camera pretending to “bite” the feet of multiple babies. While the White House’s annual Halloween bash has a long-standing tradition of family-friendly fun, Biden’s approach to greeting a few of the tiniest guests—by leaning down and giving their toes a playful nibble—left some observers perplexed, calling it a head-scratcher moment for a sitting president.
Biden’s interactions with babies have always leaned into the “grandpa” vibe, but this time his overly familiar approach took things to a new level, sparking a range of reactions across social media. In one clip that quickly went viral, Biden bends down to gently “bite” the foot of a baby dressed as a chicken.
The parents looked amused, but online viewers didn’t seem to know what to make of it. Some were outright puzzled: “Why is the President of the United States biting babies?” asked one X (formerly Twitter) user. Others were quick to pile on with jokes, calling it a “new Halloween low” for the commander-in-chief.
Critics argued that this sort of playfulness is unusual, even unpresidential, coming from the leader of the free world. While the gesture was, by all appearances, innocent, the unconventional display has fueled endless memes and commentary, with some people labeling the interaction as “creepy” or just “weird.” For those watching from home, it seemed oddly intimate—especially considering that most politicians keep interactions with young children at events limited to gentle pats on the back or a quick handshake. “It’s giving, ‘I’ve lost all sense of personal boundaries,’” joked another user online.
For Biden’s more ardent critics, the videos became instant fodder for conspiracy theories and suspicions. Some conspiracy-minded viewers took it upon themselves to wildly speculate about Biden’s “baby-biting,” connecting it to fringe theories in a way that even seasoned internet users found strange. One particularly out-there post insisted Biden’s nibbling was part of a “disturbing trend,” while others sarcastically joked that he might be “starting a new White House tradition.”
However, those close to Biden describe him as a naturally affectionate person, the kind who dotes on babies and relishes his role as a grandfather figure. Yet, even among supporters, this latest incident was still seen as an unusual, almost surreal side of Biden. At the end of the day, this unexpected Halloween twist has left people wondering if he might need a gentle reminder that even presidents should probably keep their teeth to themselves when greeting the public’s babies.