A confused-looking President Biden once again admitted he gets into “problems” by answering questions at a news conference Tuesday — just hours after his press secretary staunchly defended his mental acuity. is.
The 81-year-old commander-in-chief began voicing a familiar but bewildering refrain before taking the microphone off the table at the launch of a task force aimed at cutting costs for American families.
“I have so many questions. You better not start asking them. You’re going to be in trouble,” Biden tweeted, drawing laughter from the audience.
He exhaled heavily into the microphone, then replaced it, staring blankly ahead with his mouth open, ignoring the reporter’s last attempt to ask a final question before leaving.
“Oh my gosh. This guy’s not doing well,” said Peter Dow, a former Democratic campaign staffer. I commented on X.
Biden’s unusual behavior came hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized a reporter who asked why the president always relies on notecards during public announcements.
Jean-Pierre defended Biden, although the reporter did not hint whether such dependence reflected deteriorating mental health.
“Are you mad because the president has a note card? Are you asking questions about the president having a note card? Probably more than any president in modern times, in the first three years of his administration. Is he one of the most successful presidents of all time? He accomplished more in his first three years than most two-term presidents,” Jean-Pierre dodged the question. .
“I think what’s important here, and what the American people care about, is how this president is serving the American people. And that’s what he’s doing. And that is the most important thing here.”
Biden’s remarks Tuesday afternoon were not the first time he acknowledged that his staff had advised him to limit his conversations with the press, having previously said doing so would “cause problems.” There was also.
Biden first mentioned the directive at a 2021 press conference, days after former press secretary Jen Psaki said she didn’t like the president spending too much time with the White House press corps. Admitted.
“It’s your fault. I’m not supposed to answer all these questions,” the president said at the time. “I’m leaving, but I can’t resist your question.”
Just a month later, he echoed that sentiment, telling one journalist, “If you don’t do it the right way, you’re going to get in trouble with the staff.”
Biden’s mental stamina has been a point of contention throughout his presidency and has been strengthened in the run-up to the election.
Polls show voters are more concerned about Biden’s age than they are about Donald Trump’s (77) age.
Ann ABC News/Ipsos poll In a survey this month, 86% of American adults said Mr. Biden is too old for another term, and 59% said both Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump are too old.
