During a recent campaign event, former President Donald Trump caused confusion by seemingly forgetting that Alaska is a part of the United States. When Trump made a remark to Alaska while addressing a gathering that implied it was a foreign country, both his staff and the audience exchanged uncomfortable looks.

The incident occurred as Trump was talking about oil output and asserting that “we should be making deals with Alaska,” as though he were negotiating with a foreign country. Some guests laughed, while others were clearly perplexed. Videos of the comment swiftly circulated on social media, where detractors latched upon it as yet another instance of what they see to be Trump’s increasing linguistic gaffes.

Although Trump has always made spontaneous statements, political commentators pointed out that this most recent blunder may exacerbate worries about his age, concentration, and suitability for a second term. The film has already been used by opponents in attack advertisements, which present it as proof of deteriorating mental acuity.

Trump’s followers dismissed the event, claiming that his thesis on Alaska’s resources remained valid and that it was merely a slip of the tongue. However, as the 2024 campaign heats up, every statement—and every gaffe—is scrutinized, and this one could be difficult to live up to.