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Biden Reflects on Stutter, Tells Memorial Crowd 'I'm a Hell of a Lot Smarter'
Former president's remark at Jesse Jackson memorial service sparks online discussion
Published on Mar. 7, 2026
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Former U.S. President Joe Biden spoke at a memorial service in Chicago honoring civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, where he reflected on his childhood struggle with a stutter and pushed back against the perception that it made him less intelligent. Biden told the audience, "I'm a hell of a lot smarter than most of you," before shifting his remarks to the emotional impact of being mocked as a child for his speech impediment.
Why it matters
Biden's blunt remark about his intelligence sparked mixed reactions online, with some criticizing it as an unusual statement during a memorial service, while others defended it as part of his personal story about overcoming the stigma attached to speech impediments. The memorial service celebrated Jackson's decades of activism and political impact as a civil rights leader.
The details
During his tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Biden recounted his childhood struggle with a stutter and how it led some people to wrongly assume he lacked intelligence. While reflecting on those experiences, he pushed back against that perception with a pointed line, telling the audience: "People laugh at stuttering. It's the one place where people think you're stupid. Oh really? I'm a hell of a lot smarter than most of you." Biden then shifted his remarks back to the broader message about the emotional impact of being mocked as a child.
- The memorial service took place on March 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
The players
Joe Biden
Former President of the United States who spoke at the memorial service for Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Jesse Jackson
Civil rights leader who passed away at the age of 84 and was being honored at the memorial service.
Barack Obama
Former President of the United States who attended the memorial service for Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Bill Clinton
Former President of the United States who attended the memorial service for Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State who attended the memorial service for Rev. Jesse Jackson.
What they’re saying
“People laugh at stuttering. It's the one place where people think you're stupid. Oh really? I'm a hell of a lot smarter than most of you.”
— Joe Biden, Former President of the United States
The takeaway
Biden's remarks at the memorial service for Rev. Jesse Jackson highlighted his personal struggles with a speech impediment and the stigma he faced, while also asserting his intelligence in a blunt manner that drew mixed reactions. The event celebrated Jackson's lasting legacy as a civil rights leader who expanded political participation and helped shape modern Democratic politics.
