Meandering Joe Biden Stopped From Addressing Press-By His Own Staff – White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly cut short a press conference with President Joe Biden in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday.
Her actions came as President Biden was still fielding questions from reporters in the room.
As President Biden addressed shouted questions from the press in the Vietnamese capital, Jean-Pierre stepped up to the microphone and declared, “Thank you everybody – this ends the press conference.” Although Biden remained on stage briefly after her announcement, his response to an additional question was largely inaudible.
The President had initially committed to taking five questions from the reporters present at the press conference. He had even quipped, “I tell you what, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to bed,” before proceeding to respond to additional questions regarding his conversation with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. It was during this exchange that he was interrupted by the press secretary.
Throughout the press conference, President Biden acknowledged the demanding nature of his whirlwind international trip, humorously remarking at one point, “These five-day trips around the world are no problem.”
‘Lying dog-faced pony soldier’
Minutes before the press secretary’s unexpected move, President Biden delivered an extended response that included a somewhat meandering explanation of why he uses the phrase “lying dog-faced pony soldier” to describe politicians who deny climate change.
Trump vs. Joe Biden
President Joe Biden’s age appears to be one of his major hurdles, with approximately 73% of voters deeming him too old for a presidential run, while only 47% hold the same view regarding Trump.
Furthermore, 36% of voters believe Biden possesses the mental acuity required for the role, compared to 46% for Trump.
Concerns surrounding President Joe Biden’s age stem from reported incidents of stumbling, occasional confusion regarding countries and dates, and other similar blunders.
For Trump, the challenge lies more in his character, as 38% of voters perceive him as honest, while 45% believe Biden is trustworthy. In terms of likability, 48% of voters find Biden appealing, while only 31% hold the same sentiment for Trump.
However, Trump enjoys a more favorable stance among voters when it comes to policy accomplishments, with 51% acknowledging his strong track record as president, compared to 40% for Biden.
Jean-Pierre’s Past Defense
Karine Jean-Pierre has previously defended President Biden against age-related criticism in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, stating that “no other president has been able to do” the job like Biden. She emphasized Biden’s ability to connect with the American people and address issues that matter to them as key factors in his resilience against age-related doubts.
The incident in Hanoi adds to the ongoing discussion about President Joe Biden’s fitness for office, and as the 2024 elections approach, it remains to be seen how this will impact his political standing.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
