President Joe Biden has a record of delivering verbal gaffes or venting frustration when pressed by questions — especially when they are not asked during the format of a formal press conference.
During the presidential campaign, he repeatedly snapped at reporters. When Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked about the birth of Hunter Biden’s son, then-candidate Biden shot back, “Only you would ask that. You’re a good man. You’re a good man. Classy.”
And in a separate event, CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe attempted to ask Biden question. He turned around, and said, “Why, why, why… calm down. You’re getting nervous, man.”
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His record of lashing out at reporters has continued into his time in the White House.
But on Tuesday, Biden seemed determined not to give media outlets a clip of him lashing out in response to a question about the tense situation in Ukraine.
During an event at the White House, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked the president, “Do you think you may have underestimated Putin?”
Instead of answering the question, Biden just sat silently with his arms crossed and, at one point, appeared to pick at his teeth.
Watch the video below:
REPORTER: “Do you think you may have underestimated Putin?”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 22, 2022
BIDEN: *stares blankly, picks at his teeth* pic.twitter.com/tRVewZbwFc
While it was somewhat of a gotchya question, Biden did not take the bait this time. But last month, he did not show such restraint.
Earlier this month, Doocy asked, “Will you take questions about inflation? Do you think inflation is a political liability ahead of the midterms?”
Biden could have not said anything, but instead shot back, “No, that’s a great asset. More inflation.”
He added, “What a stupid son of a b****.”
Given some conservatives’ penchant for seizing on such moments to depict Biden as an angry septuagenarian, it’s probably a better strategy for the president to hold back — even if he thinks Doocy is a “stupid son of a b****.”