Joe Biden Press Conference Live Blog: Let’s See How This One Goes
It's only the most critical press conference in Biden's career and might very well determine the fate of his presidency.
20 Minutes Before Presser: Biden is currently at the NATO summit where the press conference will be held. News just broke that at an earlier event, he introduced Ukrainian President Zelensky by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin.” So that is quite the lead in. Do we still need the press conference?
6:35 ET: Biden’s a bit late. He could be weary from hanging out with President Putin. The White House feed is playing “Bright Sunshine” on an aggressive loop. The song is described by Soundhound as “uplifting folk pop.”
6:41: While we’re waiting for Biden and thinking about end-times, one thing that always seemed really weird about the movie Deep Impact is how much of its plot centered on which reporter would get the first question during a White House press briefing about a killer asteroid coming to destroy the planet.
6:43: Still waiting. In fairness, we’re well after 4:30 p.m. ET, which has been reported as Biden’s typical office hours cut off. At least the hold music has changed. Staffers are centering eight flags behind the podium.
7:01: Okay, this is edging into Madonna concert level tardiness. The range of things that could be causing this delay range from last-minute makeup to last-minute notes to … so much, in theory, could happen during this press conference.
7:06: Press are filing into their seats. Seems they knew this was going to be held up a bit. The music now sounds like we’re in an intensely rousing World War II epic. I’m pretty sure we just conquered something.
7:20: Running out of pre-press conference stall-for-time humor and thinking about dinner options. Loro on South Lamar is great, but, you know, we always go there.
7:27: It’s starting. Biden is opening by talking about the NATO Summit and its importance, “the most important military defense alliance.” Like in the ABC News interview, he looks like he’s hitting the bronzer pretty hard. He’s struggling a bit with a cough. “For those who thought NATO’s timing past, they got a rude awakening, Putin invaded Ukraine, some of the oldest and deepest fears in Europe. We’re back to life because once again, a murderous madman was on the march.” He points out Donald Trump called Putin’s invasion “wonderful” — “that’s exactly what he said.” This is important, of course, but not what a single reporter in that room wants to talk about.
7:33: Biden’s talking about inflation, which had a good update today. “Core inflation is the lowest in three years.” He points out that Trump’s tariffs plan could increase inflation again. He reiterated his commitment to ending the Israel-Hamas war. So far, however, this is a speech and not a press conference.
7:35: He’s now taking questions. “I’ve been given a list of people to call on” — why does he say that?? He was asked about Kamala Harris’ ability to potentially take over as president: He said “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she’s not qualified to be president. I think I’m the most qualified person. I beat him once and I’ll beat him again. The idea of senators and congressmen worrying about the ticket is not unusual. There are at least five presidents who have run with lower numbers than I have now.”
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7:40: Biden is pressed again about staying in the race and potentially ruining his legacy if Trump wins. “I’m not in this for my legacy, I’m in this to complete the job I started.” He’s starting to do the intense whisper thing though.
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7:48: Biden is asked again about how can he assure that he won’t have more “bad nights” and public lapses over the next four years. It was part of a two part question. He then forgot about the second part and had to be reminded. “The best way to assure them is the way I assure myself — getting the job done … If I slow down I can’t get the job done…but there’s been no indication [I’ve slowed down] yet.”
