Biden recounts harrowing incident with gang leader named 'Corn Pop'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-recounts-harrowing-incident-with-gang-leader-named-corn-pop/ar-AAHkCph?li=BBnb7Kz

A Twitter thread from the Root senior writer Michael Harriot renewed interest and skepticism about a story Joe Biden told, in which the former vice president claimed to have stood up to a local gang leader at a swimming pool in 1962.

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Biden has regaled audiences with parts of the story several times, which he claims took place when he was a lifeguard at a predominantly black pool in Wilmington, Delaware. He remembers how when he kicked a local gang leader named "Corn Pop" out of the pool for violating the rules, Biden was warned that Corn Pop was going to be waiting for him after work with a switchblade.

Biden said he prepared himself by wrapping a metal chain around his arm. Corn Pop was waiting by Biden's car "with three guys and straight razors. Not a joke.”

“And I looked at him, but I was smart then, I said first of all, I said when I tell you to get off the board you get off the board, and I’ll kick you out again, but I shouldn’t have called you Esther Williams, I apologize for that," Biden said, revealing Corn Pop was stunned by the apology and decided to not attack him.

Harriot was skeptical of Biden's claims that he was a lifeguard at a predominantly black pool and that a gang leader would respond graciously to an apology.

Parts of Biden's story have been corroborated by some of the people who frequented the pool. Former state NAACP President Richard “Mouse” Smith said Corn Pop was the leader of the Romans gang and had threatened Biden. Smith said Biden “stood his ground" against Corn Pop after he threatened to "cut him."