What on earth is Biden talking about?
At a recent campaign event in Pittsburgh, President Joe Biden shared a downright strange story about his great-grandfather, sparking mixed reactions across social media. During a Labor Day gathering at a union hall, Biden recounted how his great-grandfather was once accused of being affiliated with the Molly Maguires, an infamous Irish secret society.
Biden reflected on his great-grandfather’s political career, stating, “I remember when my great-grandfather was only the second Catholic elected statewide in Pennsylvania’s state Senate. During his campaign in 1906, his opponents claimed, ‘Guess what? He’s a Molly Maguire.’” The Molly Maguires were a group of Irish immigrants known for their violent tactics against anti-Irish Catholic coal mine owners in Pennsylvania during the late 19th century.
He elaborated, “A lot of the coal mines were owned by the English, who really mistreated the predominantly Catholic workers. The Molly Maguires took drastic measures to protect these workers. If they discovered that a foreman was exploiting someone, they would kill him and leave his body on his family’s doorstep. Not a joke.”
Biden’s story concluded with a humorous twist. “They claimed that my great-grandfather was a Molly Maguire—he was not, but we were so darn disappointed,” he said with a chuckle, eliciting laughter from the audience. He quickly reassured the crowd, “That was a joke. That was a joke.”
The anecdote has drawn significant attention online, with some describing it as an “insanely weird story” and others questioning its accuracy. Critics pointed out that it’s unlikely Biden’s great-grandfather, Edward Francis Blewitt, was involved with the Molly Maguires, given his age and the timeline of the society’s activities.
The White House has responded to these critiques by referencing a 2020 article from Irish America Magazine, which details Blewitt’s political and social contributions in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The article mentions that while there were rumors about his connection to the Molly Maguires, there is no concrete evidence linking him to the group.
Biden has previously mentioned his great-grandfather during his political career, including his 2008 campaign, where he highlighted his roots in Scranton’s coal country. He has expressed a deep pride in his family’s history, despite the controversial rumors.
As President Biden continues to support Vice President Kamala Harris following his withdrawal from the presidential race, his anecdotes and personal stories remain a significant part of his public engagements.
WATCH:
Cognitively impaired Joe Biden tells a weird story about how his grandfather was accused of being a "Molly Maguire" while running for political office in 1906.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 2, 2024
Kamala spent 3.5 years claiming that this guy is perfectly fit mentally for the job as president. pic.twitter.com/DVDq4w3tWw