President of the USA Joe Biden faced harsh criticism after being spotted with three children, kissing them, during a Halloween event for White House staff. At the event, Biden, known for his playful relationship with children at public events, was surrounded by scary costumes worn by small visitors along with his wife Jill, who was dressed as a panda.
A multitude of photographs were taken of the 81-year-old president, kissing a child in an Indian costume, a child dressed as a paladin of another kid in a waffle-patterned costume, and also kissing a third child in a blue dress. The response to the "kissing" incident during the president's appearance on social media was mixed, with some pointing to Biden's playful nature as that of a doting grandpa, while others deemed his reaction inappropriate and criticized him.
The event was a "Hallow-rid", marking the 40th anniversary of Jill Biden as a teacher, who in turn distributed books to children titled "10 Scary Pumpkins". The president handed out candies with his signature.
Along with local learners and children of service members receiving gifts, many employees of the American administration brought their own children to see the latest festival of horrors at the White House. Biden played with the assistant Ashley Williams and conversed with other children, giving them candies, at times he significantly delayed, leading a number of children to wait for him.
A small boy dressed as Spider-Man started dancing while the band played lively music.
This is not the first time Biden has evoked surprise among the children with his playful antics. For instance, last year on Thanksgiving Day, he approached a girl named Catherine and told her that "she has great ears", and also joked with a six-year-old girl, suggesting that she is 17 years old.
At the end of the Hallowuin event, attended by about 8000 guests, the first lady donned a panda mask, but continued to distribute books. Jill Biden earlier this year joined the National Zoo to announce the birth of a pair of pandas. The president and the first lady spent about an hour outside, handing out candies to children in costumes of various creatures, including monsters and unicorns. The games were organized in the southern courtyard, where numerous state agencies offered candies.
