Technically, Alaska and Russia are less than 3 miles apart at their closest point in the Bering Strait where two islands, Russia’s Big Diomede Island and Alaska’s Little Diomede Island, are located. In winter it is possible to walk across the frozen Bering Strait border between these two islands.
Of course, I doubt the DUmbasses would know Jr. High level geography, so of course they would call it a gaffe.
Cool info. I never knew. Our Sarah. Such a teacher :-).