President Biden may have delivered a ‘glowing’ speech about his “Investing in America” agenda on Tuesday, but his refusal to answer reporters’ questions afterward is raising eyebrows. As the media pressed him on critical issues, Biden smiled, gathered his things, and was quietly ushered away, leaving many to question why he continues to avoid direct engagement with the press.
This rare public appearance comes after Biden handed over the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris. He talked about how the country has bounced back from economic hardship, with jobs up, inflation down, and even the smallest racial wealth gap in two decades.
The speech ended with the usual “May God protect our troops,” but the real story unfolded as reporters fired off questions. For a full minute, Biden smiled and packed up his things, pretending not to hear the concerns shouted at him.
Questions covered everything from the Israel-Hamas ceasefire to high grocery prices and access to IVF treatment. But the president wasn’t biting. Instead, staffers shooed the press out with a simple “Thank you, press.”
The scene was awkward, to say the least. Trump’s campaign quickly pounced, calling Biden “cooked” for dodging questions and relying on handlers to control the room. They weren’t the only ones to criticize the moment.
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, which has had its own frustrations with Biden, released a public statement earlier this year about his lack of press access. They’ve noted how rare it is for the president to directly engage with journalists during his term.
“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 Times made it clear: a free press is essential for holding presidents accountable. Without interviews and real questioning, the public is left in the dark about the president’s thinking and plans.
They argued that while Biden can pick and choose who he speaks to, completely avoiding major news outlets sets a dangerous precedent. It’s not just about this president—future leaders may follow his lead in dodging accountability.
The White House has yet to respond to these critiques, but the trend of avoiding tough questions doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
