January 1, WATCH: Biden’s Sarcastic Exchange with Reporters Raises Eyebrows

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1945: Potsdam Conference – Harry Truman, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill hold 1st post-World War II meeting.

During a recent NATO meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Biden’s irritation with the press became evident as he delivered sarcastic remarks to reporters while they were being escorted out of the room.

This incident added to a growing list of instances where the President has openly expressed his disdain for members of the press.

The tense exchange transpired during a gathering of the leaders and their cabinets at the NATO summit in Vilenskyy, Lithuania.

The main focus of the conversation was Ukraine’s potential admission into NATO, a topic on which Biden offered assurances to Zelensky.

Biden stated, “I hope we finally have put to bed the notion about whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO. It’s going to happen.”

Following these comments, the President’s annoyance with the press was unmistakably revealed.

“Any rate, I thank you, and we got a lot to talk about. So, somebody is going to have to say, ‘The press has to leave.’”

This command, thinly veiled as a suggestion, was met with laughter by the crowd in the room.

When a reporter questioned Zelensky about his satisfaction with the outcomes from NATO, Zelensky responded, “I think, at the end of summit, we — we have great unity from our leaders and security guarantees… that the success for this summit. I think so, but it’s my opinion. Thank you.”

Despite repeated instructions for the media to exit, another reporter asked Zelensky about his preferred timeline for joining NATO post-war.

The President interjected at this point, responding with a dismissive comment, “An hour and 20 minutes,” before adding sarcastically, “You guys ask really insightful questions!”

Zelensky chuckled at Biden’s jab, signaling an end to the questioning as the press finally left the room.

Bottom Line

This incident serves as another example of President Biden’s contentious relationship with the press.

Notable past instances include when he told CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins she was in the “wrong business” after a question about Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and his confrontational exchange with Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about inflation.

The President’s repeated criticisms of reporters raises concerns about his attitude towards the role of free press in democratic discourse.

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