Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden induced an internet-wide cringe Saturday when he tweeted a photo of a friendship bracelet with former President Barack Obama — an ally who has not endorsed his candidacy.

“Happy #BestFriendsDay to my friend, @BarackObama ,” Biden tweeted.





“This is a joke, right?,” replied David Axelrod, a former top aide to the Obama-Biden campaigns of 2008 and 2012.

“‘Fraid not,” responded conservative commentator, but frequent President Trump critic, Bill Kristol.



‘Fraid not. — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) June 9, 2019



While seemingly warm and friendly personally, Biden’s relationship with Obama has been complicated politically.

In the first days of his 2020 candidacy, the former vice president told reporters he asked Obama not to endorse him.

Yet Biden continues to call himself "an Obama-Biden democrat."

Obama had not replied to Biden’s tweet as of Sunday morning, but more than 5,000 comedians, bloggers, and other Twitter users had.



Biden: Obama’s my best friend.



Obama: Biden’s my coworker. — Jesse Fernandez (@JesseFernandez) June 9, 2019

Keep pandering, Joe 😩🙏🏽🥰 — Joy Villa (@Joy_Villa) June 9, 2019

He's such a good friend that he wont endorse you for President... — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) June 9, 2019