While President Biden lauded his accomplishments on Tuesday, he was only able to offer journalists a smile and ignore questions.
Biden spoke at a White House event about his “Investing In America” agenda. This was a rare public appearance for him since he had given up the Democratic Party nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris.
COVID no longer controls our lives. He said, “We’ve gone from economic crises to having the best economy on earth.” He said, “Record 16,000,000 jobs, record growth of small businesses, record stock markets, records high-401(k), and wages are up. Inflation continues to fall. And there is the smallest racial gap in 20 years.”
Biden smiled as he slowly collected his belongings. After he finished his remarks with “May God protect our troops,” reporters shouted at him for 60 seconds while a smiling Biden gathered up his things. Then he was led out of that room.
The staff was heard saying, “Thanks Press.” As they sent reporters away who inquired about issues like the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas free IVF treatment, or high grocery prices, staffers were heard saying “Thanks, Press.”
The Trump War Room wrote: “Crooked Joe Biden, completely cooked, spends a moment ignoring all of the questions as his handlers desperately attempt to remove him from the room. “Warning: This is painful.
Crooked Joe Biden — completely cooked — spends a full minute ignoring questions as his handlers desperately attempt to remove them from the room.
Warning: This is painful to watch. pic.twitter.com/l8G88CGvqa
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 3, 2024
The New York Times is one news outlet of many that has directly called out the president’s lack of direct interviews with the press. “For anyone who understands the role of the free press in a democracy, it should be troubling that President Biden has so actively and effectively avoided questions from independent journalists during his term,” The Times said in a public statement in April. “The president occupies the most important office in our nation, and the press plays a vital role in providing insights into his thinking and worldview, allowing the public to assess his record and hold him to account.”
The statement went on to say that while Biden was within his rights not to speak to the New York Times, he still should be speaking to other major news outlets out of principle.
“However, in meetings with Vice President Harris and other administration officials, The Times publisher focused his attention on a more important principle: that systematically refusing to answer questions or conduct interviews from major media outlets undermines a norm of importance and sets a precedent dangerous for future presidents who will use it to avoid scrutiny and accountability. “
