We’ve got some juicy tidbits from a recent Joe Biden press conference at the G7 in Italy. If you missed it, buckle up because it was quite the rollercoaster.
First off, Biden had a rather odd moment when answering a question about his son, Hunter. He said, “I am satisfied that I’m not gonna do anything,” which left everyone scratching their heads. What exactly did he mean? He did go on to say he’d abide by the jury’s decision and wouldn’t pardon his son, adding that he wouldn’t commute any sentence either. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, given his track record of not always sticking to his word.
But wait, there’s more! Things got really heated when a reporter dared to ask about Hamas while Biden was prepped to discuss Ukraine and the G7. Biden snapped, and it raised some eyebrows about the “deals” he might have going on with the press. He seems to know the questions beforehand, calling on pre-selected reporters and reading answers from notes. Is this a controlled setup?
Biden scolds a reporter for asking about Gaza and not a pre-approved question about Ukraine: “I wish you guys would play by the rules”
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) June 13, 2024
Video: Biden scolds a reporter for asking about Gaza and not a pre-approved question about Ukraine: “I wish you guys would play by the rules” pic.twitter.com/nBoEKxxCWa
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) June 13, 2024
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) stepped in, making it clear that there are no preconditions on question topics at press conferences. They stated that while the White House decides how many reporters get recognized, the journalists themselves decide what to ask. This response seemed like a subtle jab at Biden, suggesting that what he says about these “deals” might not be entirely accurate. So, if Biden’s claims are false, that’s a red flag. If he’s telling the truth about needing such accommodations, that’s concerning, too. Either way, it doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
Biden holds a VERY RARE, highly scripted “press conference” — then scolds the press for asking him a question: “I wish you guys would play by the rules a little bit”
ATTACK ON THE FREE PRESS! DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS! DISGUSTING! pic.twitter.com/RX6RRA0h9S
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 13, 2024
The WHCA’s statement also hinted at a lack of frequent press conferences and called for more opportunities to question the president. They seemed to be tiptoeing around the issue, implying that Biden has avoided the media, which isn’t a great look.
White House Correspondents President @KellyO replies in rare written statement that “there are no preconditions regarding question topics.”
Full statement after President Biden’s gripe that reporters would not “play by the rules”: https://t.co/mHr6eUaU0H pic.twitter.com/KSVmpHCHWZ
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) June 13, 2024
It’s a tricky situation where neither Biden nor the media comes out looking too credible. Whether it’s controlled press interactions or Biden’s need for pre-selected questions, it raises doubts about transparency and accountability.