President Biden’s highly anticipated solo press conference on Thursday evening faced significant backlash on social media, particularly from conservative commentators who described it as a “disaster.” Critics highlighted what they perceived as Biden stumbling through answers to reporters’ questions about foreign policy and the upcoming 2024 presidential race.
“This NATO press conference with Biden is another disaster. It is inexplicable the people advising this man continue to think that somehow he’s not going to humiliate himself and this country. Why do they continue to allow this to happen?” Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce posted on X during the press conference.
Biden addressed the media Thursday afternoon while concluding a NATO summit in the nation’s capital. During his appearance, the president made several gaffes, including confusing Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Donald Trump, trailing off mid-answer, and openly stating he had a list of reporters to call on.
“This press conference is a disaster. Joe Biden is not answering the questions,” Fox News contributor Leo Terrell posted on X during the event. “Crooked Joe begins his ‘Big Boy’ Press Conference with, ‘I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.’ Great job, Joe!” Trump commented on Truth Social. Conservatives and other critics of the president did not hold back in their negative assessments of Biden’s performance, told The New York Post.
The press conference occurred as Biden faces increased scrutiny over his health, particularly following a poor debate performance late last month. This event has sparked concerns within the Democratic Party regarding the president’s age—81 years—and alleged declining mental acuity, with fears that it may impact the party’s chances in the upcoming election as Biden campaigns against Trump.
Despite the growing concerns and calls for him to withdraw, Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to the race. “There’s been a lot of speculation: What’s Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? What’s he going to do?” Biden remarked on Friday in a speech in Madison, Wisconsin. “Well, here’s my answer: I am running and going to win again.”
As speculation mounts and calls for Biden to step aside increase, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urged Democrats to remain quiet about their concerns for now. “Let’s just hold off,” she said on MSNBC. “Whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week.”
Thursday marked the first time Biden has held a solo press conference since November of last year, and the critical reception indicates that scrutiny of his performance and campaign strategy will continue.