‘That’s Inappropriate!’ White House Press Briefing on Biden’s Health Derailed by Reporter Yelling Out ‘Is He Awake?’
A White House Press Briefing Wednesday was momentarily derailed by a reporter’s outburst, asking if President Joe Biden was “awake” and able to come down to address the media.
Biden has been facing increasing scrutiny since his debate with former President Donald Trump last Thursday, including several moments in which the 81-year-old, voice raspy from an apparent cold, struggled to find his train of thought. Recent polling showed 72% of Americans do not believe Biden has the “mental and cognitive health to be president,” and on Tuesday, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) became the first sitting member of Congress to publicly call for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Wednesday brought more tough headlines for the president, as a New York Times/Siena College poll was released showing Trump up 6 points nationally, and rumors continued to swirl about internal discontent among Democrats, anxiety among campaign staff, and calls for him to step aside. Nonetheless, Biden has remained adamant that he intends to stay in the race.
At Wednesday’s briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced another grilling from a skeptical room of reporters about Biden’s debate performance and intentions for the campaign.
NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell asked if Biden had “a duty to review data like polling information that’s coming in, donor information, the fears and concerns and anxieties expressed by Democrats,” and Jean-Pierre asked for a clarification.
“You’re saying that he’s absolutely running –” said O’Donnell, and Jean-Pierre interjected, “well, he’s saying that and I’m sharing, I’m sharing with you his view.”
“– And we would invite the president to come here and tell us that directly,” said O’Donnell.
“Noted. Noted, noted, Kelly,” said Jean-Pierre.
“If he’s awake!” called out a male reporter from behind O’Donnell, drawing a “that’s inappropriate!” rebuke from her.
“As you heard from your colleague, the President of the WHCA, that’s inappropriate,” added Jean-Pierre. “Thank you, Kelly.”
Watch the clip above via CNN.
