Washington Post Grills Biden For Hiding From The Press: ‘What Are You Afraid Of?’

The editorial board for the Washington Post has lambasted President Joe Biden for his record-low number of appearances at press conferences, suggesting the incumbent and his advisors are afraid to answer unscripted questions from the media.

“President Biden hasn’t dropped the microphone; he appears to have lost it,” snarks the Post in its opening lede, which goes on to note Biden has done zero solo press conferences this year.

The president seemed to acknowledge his efforts to stonewall the mainstream media at the White House Correspondents Dinner, joking, “In a lot of ways, this dinner sums up my first two years in office. I’ll talk for 10 minutes, take zero questions and cheerfully walk away.”

When he does appear before the press, the president is accompanied by other world leaders or cabinet secretaries which gives him the opportunity to deflect or ignore questions shouted his way.

After speaking Monday about his intent to increase fees on airlines for canceled flights, President Biden looked on while reporters asked for his latest thoughts, and staffers were heard trying to shuffle them from the room.

At an event with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Biden was photographed carrying notes that contained advance questions that he would be asked by a reporter in a separate interview. During a trip to Ireland in March, the president offered a tip-lipped smile as his press conference was concluded and reporters were whisked away.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has walked a tightrope during her semi-regular press briefings, defending a boss who at one point promised a “transparent, open” relationship with the media. After claiming President Biden has taken more questions from the media that his three past predecessors combined, the White House quietly walked back the statement by amending the record to note that “question-and-answer” sessions were being included.