Turkish Journalist Comments on Photo of Erdogan Bowing Before Biden

Following the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Joe Biden, a photograph began circulating in international media showing Erdoğan bowing before Biden. According to Ermenihaber, Turkish writer and journalist Murat Yetkin claims that the Turkish president did not bow before Biden and that the image is simply a misinterpretation of an awkward moment.

“During the meeting, Biden approached Erdoğan and, in accordance with COVID protocols, extended a fist for a greeting. Erdoğan, caught off guard, didn’t manage to get up and returned the fist bump while seated. That’s how this photograph came about. Meanwhile, Western media is using the image of Erdoğan allegedly ‘bowing’ before Biden as if they wish to hurt Erdoğan,” wrote the Turkish journalist.

The author of the article recalled a similar incident in which former Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was depicted in a photograph where then-President Bill Clinton leaned on a sofa to appear less tall during their conversation, which drew significant criticism from Turkish nationalist-conservative politicians.