In an unexpected turn of events, President Biden made a surprise appearance at the White House briefing room, marking his first appearance since assuming office.
This comes after a significant increase in his press engagements, following years of limited interaction with the media.
According to The New York Post, the President's sudden increase in press availability comes as he prepares to leave the White House on January 20, following his party's decision to end his campaign for a second term due to concerns about his mental acuity.
During his brief 15-minute appearance, President Biden expressed his uncertainty about the peacefulness of the upcoming election. "I'm confident it will be free and fair. I don't know whether it will be peaceful," he stated. His concerns stem from the contentious remarks made by former President Donald Trump, particularly during the aftermath of the previous election. "The things that [former President Donald] Trump has said and the things that he said last time out when he didn't like the outcome of the election were very dangerous," Biden added.
The President also expressed concern about the Republican vice presidential candidate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, who has yet to accept the outcome of the last election. "Have you noticed? I noticed that the vice presidential Republican candidate [Ohio Sen. JD Vance] did not say he'd accept the outcome of the election and hasn't even accepted the outcome of the last election. So I'm concerned about what they're going to do," he said.
Despite the unexpected nature of his appearance, which resulted in many empty seats in the briefing room, President Biden answered multiple questions from journalists. However, his unfiltered engagements have not been without controversy. The President caused a surge in crude oil prices after suggesting that Israel might bomb Iran's oil facilities. He also caused confusion when he referred to "Hurricane Helena" instead of Hurricane Helene.
As he concluded his briefing room appearance, a reporter asked if he was considering rejoining the presidential race. "I'm back in!" Biden responded, eliciting laughter from those present. This unexpected increase in press engagements and his candid responses underscore the unpredictable nature of his presidency as he prepares to leave office.
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