WATCH: Evan Gershkovich Embraced by Biden and Harris Upon Landing In the US
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embraced Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich as he stepped onto US soil at Joint Base Andrews for the first time since being released from a Russian prison.
Gershkovich was part of a multi-national prisoner swap, which also saw the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan and Prague-based radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
Gershkovich deplaned after Whelan and stood at the base of the airplane’s stairs while Biden chatted with Whelan and was immediately greeted by Harris, who proceeded to give the WSJ staffer a big hug. Biden walked over and shook his hand and eventually embraced Gershkovich as well.
The newly released journalist then left the President and Vice President to greet and hug his mother which was captured in a photo that is an immediate classic:
Journalist Evan Gershkovich lifts his mother, Ella Milman, as US President Joe Biden looks on, on the tarmac after arriving home at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/JvIItr468X
— Al Drago (@Al_Drago) August 2, 2024
Biden reportedly removed his American flag pin from his lapel and gave it to Gershkovich upon his triumphant return.
When asked how it feels to be home, Gershkovich dryly replied “not bad.”
“Evan! How does it feel to finally be home?”
“Not bad.”This guy. pic.twitter.com/7aT6K3QbBn
— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) August 2, 2024
Watch above via CSPAN
