Joe Biden confuses Nevada with New Hampshire in speech after second primary vote

Former vice president makes latest gaffe after leaving crucial state amid weak performance

Joe Biden mistakenly referred to New Hampshire as Nevada during a speech on the night of the state’s first-in-the-nation primary, telling supporters on Tuesday: “It’s important that Iowa and Nevada have spoken.”

The former vice president left the state after reportedly cancelling a New Hampshire primary party appearance, instead heading to South Carolina where he has maintained a formidable lead in the crowded Democratic field.

Mr Biden, who has been known to make controversial gaffes throughout his tenure in public office and along the campaign trail, addressed supporters at a campaign rally where he said: “We just heard from the first two of the 50 states.”

“Two of them,” Mr Biden continued. “Not all of the nation, not half the nation.”

Mr Biden made the surprise decision to head to South Carolina before results in New Hampshire showed him suffering another weak performance following the Iowa caucus, in which he trailed several other leading candidates.

“We’re going to head to South Carolina tonight,” the 2020 hopeful told reporters, adding: “And I’m going to Nevada… we’ve got to look at them all.”

Steve Guest, the rapid response director for the GOP, posted a clip of the former vice president’s gaffe to Twitter, writing: “Joe Biden confuses states AGAIN.”

“This is a pattern”, he added.

Mr Biden has made several mistakes in referring to specific states over the years, confusing Iowa for Ohio in response to a question about infrastructure in November.

“How many unsafe bridges do you still have here in the state of Ohio? I mean Iowa,” Mr Biden said, adding: “I was just in Ohio. Because they have more."

Mr Biden appeared to place in fifth during the New Hampshire primaries, with Bernie Sanders leading the field according to initial voting results.

Pete Buttigieg appeared to place in second, while Amy Klobuchar surged to third place after a significant showing in Iowa and a strong debate performance.