Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden began his "No Malarkey!" series of campaign stops in Iowa with a strange, awkward gesture toward his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.

On stage in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday, attempting to regain steam in his deflated campaign momentum, Biden, 77, caught the attention of the internet when he suddenly bit his wife's fingertips as she was introducing him on stage. As Biden excitedly gestured toward her husband, he leaned over and playfully nibbled the tips of her fingers. Onlookers and press quickly shared images and videos of the event on social media, eliciting 100s of responses across the political spectrum, many wondering just what Biden was thinking.

"'You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t.' Barack Obama," joked the Independent Women's Voice after tweeting, "But why though, Joe?"

“You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t.” Barack Obama https://t.co/tKkXvKXgHF — IWV (@IWV) December 1, 2019

"YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP. Joe Biden just NIBBLED on his wife's finger at a campaign stop in Iowa," Steve Guest said.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP.



Joe Biden just NIBBLED on his wife's finger at a campaign stop in Iowa. pic.twitter.com/PcCqTMPJez — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 30, 2019

"Friendly reminder not to kink shame joe biden for suckin on his wife's fingie :)," said journalist Nicole Russell.

friendly reminder not to kink shame joe biden for suckin on his wife's fingie :) pic.twitter.com/T3pAl9U8mr — Nicole Russell (@nicolerussell91) December 1, 2019

"While it’s OK to give cats a bit of salami, it is not recommended for Joe Biden," said one Twitter user.

While it’s OK to give cats a bit of salami, it is not recommended for Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/JTIS3wOdco — Richard Feren (@RichardFeren) December 1, 2019

Biden is the grandpa from Texas chainsaw massacre. Nobody can convince me otherwise. pic.twitter.com/1mDdSRiP8N — Cassandra Fairbanks 🕊✌️ (@CassandraRules) December 1, 2019

While it’s OK to give cats a bit of salami, it is not recommended for Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/JTIS3wOdco — Richard Feren (@RichardFeren) December 1, 2019