**Biden Roasts Trump on Comedy Show Amid Gaza Protests**
President Joe Biden took a lighthearted jab at former President Donald Trump during an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” The remark centered on Trump’s apparent slip of the tongue, where he reportedly called his wife Melania “Mercedes” at a conservative conference.
Biden, who is 81, joked about Trump, 77, saying, “You got to take a look at the other guy. He’s about as old as I am. But he can’t remember his wife’s name.” The comment drew laughter and applause from the audience.
However, outside the NBC headquarters in New York City, where the show was taped, tensions were high. Pro-Palestinian activists, organized by Jewish Voices for Peace NYC, protested Biden’s support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict. They held banners reading “Jews to Biden: Stop Arming Genocide” and chanted slogans demanding a cease-fire, an end to military aid to Israel, and the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The group accused Biden of being complicit in the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians and called for actions such as cutting off military aid to Israel, ending the blockade of Gaza, and withdrawing from the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The protest turned violent when the police attempted to disperse the crowd, resulting in approximately 50 arrests for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic, according to the group’s tweets.
Biden has been under increasing pressure to play a more active role in de-escalating the Gaza crisis. While expressing support for a cease-fire, he has reiterated the U.S.’ commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense while urging both sides to protect civilians and avoid further escalation.
