CNN host Ashleigh Banfield cringed with embarrassment on Monday after she misidentified Vladimir Putin as the man who resigned as Russia’s president 16 years ago: Boris Yeltsin.
Yeltsin was Russia’s president from 1991 to 1999.
Banfield made the mistake as footage rolled of Putin finishing his speech Monday to the United Nations.
“Russian President Boris Yeltsin wrapping up his remarks,” Banfield said.
“Oh, excuse me!” she said, laughing after quickly realizing her mistake. “Boy, I’m hearkening back 20 years. Russian President Putin wrapping up his remarks to the United Nations.”
Watch the blooper:
h/t: Mediaite
Putin’s a pretty vain guy. He prides himself on his physique and looks. To mix him up with the boozing obese Yeltsin…that’s going to piss him off.
At least Banfield recognized she’d fucked up. Most of her colleagues don’t and on Fox Not the News they never do.
That’s OK, Ashley. When you do it we know you misspoke. When Palin or Perry do it, we know they are confused.
I make mistakes. We all do. She admitted. We can all move on.
And Yeltsin could laugh at Clinton’s jokes. The best Putin can do is manage the slight hint of a tortured smile that often accompanies constipation.