WATCH: Biden’s Coast Guard One-Liner Went Over Very Differently When Reagan Made Same Reference in 1988

President Joe Biden addressed the 148th graduating class of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut on Wednesday, and got some attention for cracking on the assembled cadets in a moment that evoked Jeb Bush’s “please clap” moment from 2015.

Eagle-eyed columnist Becket Adams spotted a similar moment during a 1988 speech in which President Ronald Reagan referenced the same exact joke.

“I can only assume that you will enjoy educating your family about how the Coast Guard is, quote, the hard nucleus around the Navy forms in time of war,” Biden said, though in a confusing manner that killed the joke and was met with crickets. “You are a really dull class,” Biden then cracked, which was returned with laughter from the cadets. “Come on, man, is the sun getting to you? I would think you would have an opportunity when I say that about the Navy to clap…”

Turns out, that Reagan referenced the same exact quote during his speech on May 18th, 1988. “My Coast Guard aides have been excellent. One of them taught me that “The Coast Guard is that hard nucleus about which the Navy forms in time of war.'” You can watch a video of the two moments side by side below:

https://twitter.com/becketadams/status/1395104791093776387?s=21

Now before anyone starts to research Neil Kinnock, it’s worth pointing out how the “hard nucleus” comment is a common refrain around the Coast Guard Academy which elevates the standing of the sometimes overlooked military service. In fact, former President George W. Bush made the same exact reference in a speech in May of 2008.