President Joe Biden only answered one question amid the screaming chaos of an Oval Office photo op as members of Biden’s team shuffled out shouting reporters.
On Thursday, following Netanyahu’s speech to Congress and a few days following Biden’s decision on Sunday that he would not be running for reelection and would instead support Vice President Kamala Harris, the president, and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a meeting at the White House.
Reporters and press wranglers started a louder-than-usual screaming competition as the president concluded his extremely brief comments. Though the queries are utterly incomprehensible in the video, Biden may be seen shaking his head “no.”
According to a pool report, that was a response to The Daily Caller’s Reagan Reese, who asked if health was a factor in the decision:
Flagging this from a previous pool report:
Your pooler asked the president if he dropped out of the race because of his health. He appeared to hear the question over the crosstalk and shook his head.
Here are fuller quotes from the Oval Office, moments ago. It was very brief. Please check against the official transcript.
Netanyahu: “From a proud Jew Zionist to a proud Irish American Zionist, I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel. And I look forward to discussing with you today and working with you in the months ahead.”
The president was very hard to hear. He speaks very briefly of his first time meeting with Prime Minister Golda Meir. Netanyahu called himself a “proud Jewish Zionist,” not a “Jew Zionist.”
WATCH:
Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday night after his stunning decision to drop out of the presidential election and endorse Harris.
During an Oval Office address to the nation, Biden told the American public that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title” and that he plans to serve the remainder of his term.
“I draw strength, and find joy, in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People,'” Biden said.
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation,” Biden added.
Biden, who said he plans to remain president until his term ends in January, returned to Washington on Tuesday after isolating at his Delaware beach house and recovering from COVID-19.
Anger and frustration mounted inside Biden’s inner circle as well as with the president himself amid a cacophony of calls for him to drop out after a dismal debate performance last month and a collapse in polling.
According to sources who spoke to NBC News, Biden felt “isolated, frustrated, and angry. He considered his allies to have betrayed him during a time of need. The network quoted someone within the inner circle who said of Biden: “He’s really pissed off.”
The outlet said Biden spent the weekend with several close advisers and family, but Vice President Kamala Harris, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, and campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon were not among them.
The report also said that multiple advisers warned that Biden had no path to victory. “It became a no-win situation, a self-fulfilling prophecy,” former White House official Cedric Richmond said Sunday. Without money and support, “it’s impossible to win, and he’s always put country and party first.”
Loyalists to Biden also were frustrated that members of the Democratic Party called on him to step aside instead of rallying behind him, the outlet reported.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
