On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, President Biden gave a speech about his Investing in America agenda at the White House. He used the platform to emphasize the significant achievements of his administration, but his refusal to engage with the press afterward sparked concerns about transparency and a flurry of discussions on social media.
In his remarks, the President pointed out the economic strides the country has made, declaring, “COVID no longer controls our lives. We’ve gone from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the world, literally. Record 16 million new jobs, record small business growth, record stock market, record high 401Ks, wages are up, inflation is down, way down and continuing to come down, and the smallest racial wealth gap in 20 years.”
The President’s speech was part of the Investing in America Content Series Kickoff Event. It included testimonies from local leaders and community members who have seen positive impacts from the administration’s investments in sectors such as infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, and healthcare. Mayor Woodfin from Birmingham, Alabama, spoke about the growth in wages, employment, and innovation in his city due to the administration’s initiatives. Chairwoman Flores from the Colorado River Indian Tribes talked about how the Tribe has been able to address water infrastructure challenges and promote community development through funding from the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
However, the event veered off script after the President concluded his speech with the words “May God protect our troops.” In the ensuing minute, reporters hurled questions at Biden who remained at his desk, offering a smile but not answers, and finally exited the room guided by staff. Questions about crucial issues like a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, free IVF treatment, and high grocery prices were left unanswered, with staffers expressing their thanks to the press as they escorted them out.
This lack of engagement with the press has rekindled concerns about the President’s media accessibility. Numerous news outlets, including The New York Times, have previously criticized Biden for not granting enough direct interviews.
The Times has argued that, notwithstanding his prerogative to bypass their publication, it is essential for the President to engage with major news outlets.
Based on research by presidential scholar Martha Joynt Kumar, Biden’s number of press conferences and media interviews are the lowest among the last seven presidents during the same period in their terms. The scholar’s analysis revealed that Biden has held only 36 press conferences and given 125 media interviews, significantly lower than his predecessors. However, the President has participated in a higher number of informal Q&A sessions with the press corps, with a total of 588 such interactions.
Defending Biden’s media engagement, the White House stated that he has given 45 interviews this year and continues to reach out to Americans through digital strategies and local media. Still, the President’s limited visibility in the media has raised questions about his age and mental sharpness, and there are claims that his team is shielding his true condition from the public.
The administration’s media strategy has resulted in mounting tension and mistrust between the White House press corps and the President’s team. The press corps has been pushing for more access and information, leading to some intense exchanges in the White House briefing room. The White House argues that its communication strategy is designed to leverage Biden’s strengths and focus on direct communication with the public.
However, critics maintain that this strategy undermines the principles of accountability and transparency, which are critical for a functioning democracy. The perception that the administration is not being honest about the President’s condition has led to what some are calling a “credibility crisis” for the White House.
