President Joe Biden’s history with the media has been anything but smooth sailing. From the early days of his career to his time in the Oval Office, Biden has often found himself at odds with the press. Whether it’s his tendency to bristle at tough questions or his occasional gaffes that become media fodder, Biden has never quite mastered the art of media relations.
In fact, his interactions with the press often reveal a thin-skinned approach, with the President frequently showing frustration when coverage doesn’t align with his narrative.
This contentious relationship was on full display yet again when Biden recently snapped at reporters. It wasn’t just a slip of the tongue—he was exposing his long contempt for the media… and the public. And he was realizing what Democrats think they can do to gaslight the country.
From Daily Wire:
President Joe Biden gruffly instructed reporters on Wednesday to “start writing” that his economic policies have been succeeding, a demand that drew some blowback on social media…“Yes! Yes! Yes! I told you we were going to have a soft landing,” Biden replied. “We’re going to have a soft landing. My policies are working — start writing that way, Okay?”
Reporter asks about inflation.
President Biden: "I told you you're going to have a soft landing…my policies are working. Start writing that way, okay?" pic.twitter.com/sHebANBv06
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 14, 2024
The Latest Scandal: Biden Tells the Press What to Report
The most recent flare-up occurred when a reporter at the White House asked Biden whether the United States had “beat” inflation, citing new data showing the annual consumer price increase had dropped below 3% in July, the lowest rate since March 2021. Instead of a measured response, Biden responded with an emphatic, “Yes! Yes! Yes! I told you we were going to have a soft landing. We’re going to have a soft landing. My policies are working—start writing that way, Okay?”
This terse exchange didn’t just make headlines—it caused a stir across social media platforms. Critics were quick to jump on Biden’s demand, with many viewing it as an overreach and an attempt to strong-arm the press into favorable coverage. Ben Shapiro, Editor Emeritus of the Daily Wire, didn’t mince words, stating, “He beat affordability just like he beat Medicare. To death. A 2% year-over-year inflation rate after three and a half years of record inflation still means everything is 20% too expensive.”
Political commentator Chris Cillizza noted that Biden’s frustration with the media isn’t new, but now, “he’s not even trying to hide it.” Cillizza’s observation echoes a growing sentiment that Biden’s patience with the press is wearing thin, especially when it comes to how his economic policies are portrayed.
The Republican National Committee wasted no time in sharing the clip, pointing out Biden’s anger towards the press while his handlers attempted to usher them out of the room. This incident adds to a list of moments where Biden’s temper has flared, leaving many wondering if this approach will hurt him more than help in the eyes of the public.
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, using the opportunity to contrast Biden’s economic legacy with his own. In typical Trump fashion, he posted on Truth Social, offering voters a stark choice between “TRUMP PROSPERITY” or the “KAMALA CRASH & GREAT DEPRESSION OF 2024.”
Key Takeaways:
- President Biden’s rocky relationship with the media continues as he demands favorable coverage of his economic policies.
- The press and social media users reacted strongly to Biden’s directive, viewing it as an overreach.
- Critics, including Ben Shapiro and Chris Cillizza, noted Biden’s increasing frustration with the press, suggesting it could backfire.
Source: Daily Wire