Biden Appears Angry, Complains Press ‘Never Keep the Deal,’ and Calls Kamala Harris ‘President’ During Confused Press Conference with Kenya President

President Biden faced criticism during a joint press conference with Kenyan President William Ruto for his handling of questions.

At the 32-minute event, Biden displayed confusion and irritation, mistakenly referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “President Kamala Harris” — a mistake he has made multiple times.

When McClatchy newspaper’s correspondent Michael Wilner asked a second question, Biden attempted to restrict the inquiry to one, sparking a moment of contention.

President Biden criticized the White House press corps on Thursday, complaining that reporters “never keep the deal” when a journalist asked a second question at a joint press conference with Kenyan President William Ruto. REUTERS

Wilner initially asked about US-supported peacekeeping efforts in Haiti, a topic relevant to Kenya’s involvement. However, when attempting to pose a second question regarding a pending arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, filed by the ICC, Biden interrupted, insisting on answering only one question. Despite this, Wilner persisted, politely defying the restriction and raising his second inquiry.

The White House press office typically anticipates journalists’ questions for such events. Wilner, known for covering Haiti-related news, proceeded to ask his second question, seeking clarity on the ICC’s allegations against Israeli leaders regarding the use of starvation as a war tactic in Gaza.

Visibly displeased, Biden reiterated the administration’s stance on the ICC’s jurisdiction and criticized journalists for not adhering to agreements.

The 81-year-old Biden also mistakenly referred to his vice president as “President Kamala Harris” — making the error for at least the 8th time. Getty Images

The 81-year-old Biden also mistakenly referred to his vice president as “President Kamala Harris” — making the error for at least the 8th time. Getty Images

Biden’s performance during the press conference attracted attention for his apparent confusion and memory lapses. At one point, he mistakenly claimed US troops were deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a statement not supported by publicly available information.

Additionally, he lost track of the topic during interactions with reporters, further highlighting concerns about his cognitive acuity.

These incidents occurred amid growing concerns about Biden’s age and fitness for office. Most voters believe he is too old to serve another four-year term, especially in light of his upcoming re-election campaign against former President Donald Trump.

A March poll revealed that 73% of registered voters consider Biden too old to be an effective president, underscoring broader concerns about his ability to lead effectively.

Biden’s struggles during the press conference underscored ongoing doubts about his cognitive capabilities. As the oldest-ever US president, he faces scrutiny over his mental sharpness, particularly as he approaches a potential second term. Despite attempts to maintain control during media interactions, such as restricting questions, Biden’s occasional lapses continue to fuel speculation about his fitness for office.

Biden’s performance at the press conference drew immediate attention, including his apparent confusion, such as when he referenced in his opening remarks “our nation’s first black vice president, President Kamala Harris.” AP

The joint press conference with President Ruto provided a platform for Biden’s interactions with journalists, revealing moments of confusion and frustration. As questions touched on sensitive topics like international peacekeeping efforts and diplomatic relations with Israel, Biden’s responses highlighted challenges in his ability to articulate clear and coherent answers.

The press conference’s format, known as a “2:2” event, allowed for questions from US and Kenyan reporters. However, Biden’s handling of inquiries from the American press drew particular attention, with reporters pressing for clarity on issues ranging from foreign policy to domestic concerns. Despite attempts to maintain control over the discussion, Biden’s responses often left doubts about his command of the topics.

Critics seized on Biden’s verbal slip-ups and apparent memory lapses as evidence of broader concerns about his fitness for office. With age-related questions looming large over his presidency, Biden faces mounting pressure to demonstrate mental acuity and sharpness in his interactions with the media and the public. As the 2024 presidential race approaches, these concerns will likely remain a focal point of political discourse.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

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