In the waning days of President Biden’s administration, tensions have flared as he confronts the press with increasing frustration. The president, reflecting on his legacy and what might have been, has shown a tendency to lash out at reporters.
This was evident during an unguarded interaction on Sunday when a reporter questioned whether he still viewed President-elect Donald Trump as a “threat to democracy,” a claim he had frequently made over the past year. In response, an exasperated Biden retorted sharply, emphasizing his extensive experience by declaring that he knows more world leaders than any of the reporters could imagine meeting in their lifetimes.
NEW: President Biden snaps on reporters, many who covered up his mental decline for four years, says he met more world leaders than they have in their “godd*mn life.”
Weird flex.
“I know more world leaders than any one of you ever met in your home godd*mn life.”
The question… pic.twitter.com/XzC1qjAEjl
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 5, 2025
<span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #1b1b1b; color: #1b1b1b; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; float: none; display: inline !important;”>Biden snapped at reporters, “My being the oldest president, I know more world leaders than any one of you have ever met in your whole goddamn life!”</span>
Social media users quickly reacted to Biden’s remarks, criticizing him for spending his remaining time in office airing grievances rather than exiting gracefully. Fox News highlighted notable responses from various commentators. Redstate writer Bonchie pointedly remarked on what he saw as Washington credentialism, suggesting that politicians are deemed ‘qualified’ merely by existing and knowing influential people, regardless of their actual performance or success.
This is Washington credentialism in a nutshell.
Politicians become "qualified" by simply existing. It doesn't matter that Biden is an abject failure and the worst foreign policy figure in American history.
You see, he knows a lot of people, and that's all that matters. https://t.co/galYuxGoUa
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 5, 2025
Meanwhile, CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings sarcastically commented on Biden being “the most civil, decent, and devoutly Catholic president” ever. Journalist Salena Zito added humorously that “he’s fine guys,” while conservative communicator Steve Guest described Biden as bitter.
The most civil, decent, and devoutly Catholic president we’ve ever had. 🙄 https://t.co/O9cK0WuLH9
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) January 5, 2025
As the clock ticks down on his presidency, it remains uncertain if this will be Biden’s last public clash with the media. He has two weeks left to potentially surpass previous disputes with reporters—a recurring theme throughout his tenure. Even on platforms considered friendly territory like MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Biden has found himself at odds with how he’s portrayed.