WATCH: KJP Snaps At Reporter For Questioning Joe Biden’s Energy

Tensions flared during Wednesday’s White House Press briefing as Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed pointed questions about President Joe Biden’s energy and alertness. The moment turned humorous when a reporter’s comment on the Biden’s wakefulness sparked backlash among the press corps.

During the press briefing, one reporter extended an invitation to Biden to come and answer questions personally.

Right after another reporter jumped in and joked, “if he’s awake!” The funny jab was then deemed “inappropriate” by other reporters, as well as Jean-Pierre.

This comes on the heels of Biden’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump last week—a performance that reignited discussions about his stamina. During the debate, Biden, 81, admitted to feeling fatigued, noting that he “almost fell asleep on stage.” His fatigue was attributed to his schedule that included trips to Europe which led his team to reduce his debate preparation by two days.

WATCH:

“Biden was drained enough from the back-to-back trips to Europe that his team cut his planned debate preparation by two days so he could rest at his house in Delaware, before joining advisers at Camp David for rehearsals,” The New York Times reported on Tuesday. “The preparations, which took place over six days, never started before 11 a.m. and Mr. Biden was given time for an afternoon nap each day, according to a person familiar with the process.”

Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, clarified to the Times on Tuesday that Biden actively began his daily duties well before the scheduled 11 a.m. start, following his morning exercise routine. However, at a fundraiser later that evening, Biden candidly attributed his debate performance to exhaustion. “I wasn’t very smart,” he admitted. “I decided to travel around the world a couple of times, I don’t know how many time zones.” He further confessed, “I didn’t listen to my staff, and I came back and I fell asleep on the stage.”

“He had a hoarse voice,” Jean Pierre said of Biden on Wednesday. “Many of you reached out to me and my team and some other members of the White House asking what was going on. We confirmed that he had a cold.”

“So I think some of you here in this room can certainly relate to… what could happen when you’re having an important moment and you’re not feeling well; and also you wish you could have done better, and so he took ownership. I think that’s important.” She finished, “He’s going to continue to make a strong case for his agenda and that’s what you’re going to see. And he was given an explanation and that’s what he wanted to do.”

WATCH:

Biden’s public appearances have raised concerns among… everyone. At an early Juneteenth celebration, he momentarily appeared to freeze up. Further unease arose during an immigration event on June 18, when Biden softly struggled to recall the name of his homeland security secretary. Despite these instances, White House officials have maintained that Biden is in excellent health. Biden’s aides have also enlisted several advisers to attest to their positive interactions with him.

Nonetheless, video footage and interviews suggest a noticeable change in his demeanor compared to his early days in office.  Meanwhile, Trump has criticized Biden’s debate performance. As Biden has aged, the White House has subtly reduced his direct engagements with the press, though he still occasionally stops to address a few questions.

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