Joe Biden slammed for not holding a single 'solo' press conference despite 43 days in office: 'Fake president'
President Joe Biden is facing increasing calls to hold a press conference on his own after the White House abruptly cut off his video feed during his last attempt to answer questions. However, Biden is expected to hold a solo presser as soon as he has some good news to report, such as the passage of a stimulus bill. Addressing the media at the end of a virtual meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her caucus, Biden told her he was "happy to take questions if that’s what I’m supposed to do, Nance." A few seconds later, however, the White House logo appeared and the broadcast ended.
The footage went viral online and garnered millions of views, and conservatives pounced on the opportunity to use it as political fodder.
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More than 43 days into his presidency, Biden is yet to hold a traditional White House press conference where the president faces the media on his own and answers the reporters' questions himself. Former President Donald J. Trump held his first presser 27 days after taking office, while President Obama did it within day 20.
There have been some rare occasions when Biden has answered questions from reporters in his capacity as POTUS. For example, Biden answered an impromptu question on Wednesday at the end of an Oval Office meeting about cancer research. At the time, a reporter asked the president about a rocket attack that took place in Iraq. However, critics of the administration are not willing to accept any substitutes to a formal, presidential press conference.
Kayleigh McEnany, former press secretary for the Trump administration, asked on Fox News, "Where's Joe?" adding that Biden "needs to step up. We need to hear from him. He needs to engage in the transparency that he promised us."
Conservatives on social media also questioned why the new president was not facing the press on his own. "Over the past 100 years, no President has gone over 33 days after taking office without holding a solo press conference EXCEPT Joe Biden. 43 days and counting with NO solo press conference from President Biden..." columnist Madison Gilbert wrote.
"We went from the most transparent president in history, to the least. Why won’t President Biden hold a press conference?" Rep. Jim Jordan added.
"President Biden isn't holding solo press conferences because he can't hold a solo press conference. The "questions" asked in planned sessions are carefully vetted, and doubtless the President is thoroughly coached by his handlers. Biden voters, you own this," former Rep. Nan Hayworth chimed in.
"Biden is a fake President too who refuses to (or cant) communicate with the people publicly. No SOTU, no press conferences, and many have lost confidence. Can't even secure borders when policies in place," another Twitter user added.
Over the past 100 years, no President has gone over 33 days after taking office without holding a solo press conference EXCEPT Joe Biden. 43 days and counting with NO solo press conference from President Biden...
— Madison Gesiotto Gilbert (@madisongesiotto) March 4, 2021
We went from the most transparent president in history, to the least.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) March 4, 2021
Why won’t President Biden hold a press conference?
President Biden isn't holding solo press conferences because he CAN'T hold a solo press conference.
— Nan Hayworth, M.D. (@NanHayworth) March 4, 2021
The "questions" asked in planned sessions are carefully vetted, and doubtless the President is thoroughly coached by his handlers.
Biden voters, you own this. https://t.co/6R4rFhUWaR
Biden's White House press secretary Jen Psaki, however, pushed back against the criticism. “We look forward to holding a full formal press conference, but in the meantime, the president takes questions from the reporters covering the White House regularly, including this morning,” she told CNN on Wednesday.