Biden’s Interaction with The New York Times Generates Mixed Reactions

The New York Times has been somewhat cautious in its relationship with the Biden administration, particularly avoiding interviews during his term. However, this month, former President Joe Biden finally spoke with the outlet amid scrutiny from former President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers regarding the use of autopens for signing documents.

Unfortunately, the interviews were met with significant criticism, suggesting that they may have added more controversy than clarity for Biden. Currently, the scrutiny surrounding these autopens continues, as investigations examine the legality of presidential pardons issued during Biden’s final days in office.

Fox News Digital is dissecting the situation—tracing the New York Times’ attempt at access to Biden, while also addressing the backlash the publication is facing now.

Biden’s Press Relations

• Biden’s team has been relatively distant from press conferences compared to predecessors like Trump and Obama.
• In April 2024, The New York Times issued a pointed statement criticizing Biden’s limited media accessibility.
• The Times expressed concern regarding Biden’s efforts to evade questions from independent journalists, calling it troubling for free press.
• Last April there was talk of a “feud” between The Times and Biden’s team, with officials labeling the newspaper staff inadequately.

Breaking the Silence

• After largely avoiding speaking to Times journalists during his presidency, Biden engaged in a brief 10-minute call with one earlier this month to address concerns about the legality of his pardons.
• This rare interview was published on July 13.
• Trump’s team had previously launched an attack on Biden’s use of autopens, claiming that a report from a conservative think tank found that many documents signed during Biden’s administration were completed with this method.

Criticism of The Times’ Narrative

• The published piece headlined, “Biden says he made the generous decision recorded with the autopen,” stirred controversy. Biden claimed to have made all the decisions himself amid accusations from Trump and other critics.
• Yet, in a later section, it was noted that Biden did not personally sign off on every name included in a broad application for pardons, raising questions about the article’s overall framing.
• Critics highlighted that the report failed to adequately address that Chief Jeff Zaens gave final approval for the use of the autopen.
• Some felt that the initial claims were contradicted by the information revealed later in the report.

Trump Weighs In

• In response to the Times’ report, Trump declared Biden’s use of the autopen as “one of the biggest scandals we’ve had in 50-100 years,” asserting that Biden was unaware of what he was signing.
• Trump has previously criticized the use of autopens for important documents, labeling it disgraceful.

Ongoing Investigations

• The White House is currently reviewing Biden’s use of autopens, with officials noting that numerous documents have already been handed over by the National Archives.
• Reports suggest that while the White House lawyers are leading the investigation, they are also coordinating with the Department of Justice.
• A news chief from Fox News asserted that Biden has handed over presidential power to an autopen controlled by unelected staff.

Understanding the Autopen

• An autopen is a device that mimics a person’s signature by using a mechanical arm. It differs from a signature stamp, as it can replicate a variety of pen types.

Feedback on The Times’ Coverage

• Independent journalist Drew Holden criticized The Times for echoing Biden’s claims without sufficient scrutiny, calling out similar coverage in other news outlets.
• Professor Jeffrey McCall raised concerns about Biden’s public relations strategy and how they leverage The Times to manage criticism.
• Tim Young argued that Biden’s interview with The Times was likely a strategic move to divert attention from controversies.
• Commentators noted that the Times’ report lacked balanced perspectives, failing to incorporate opinions from political experts regarding Biden’s autopen use.

Fox News Digital has reached out to The New York Times for their perspective on these developments.