In a recent revelation, Ron Klain, the former White House chief of staff, has reportedly criticized President Biden for his lack of attention to pressing issues such as inflation and the rising cost of groceries.
The criticism was captured in leaked audio, as reported by Politico.
The audio recording reveals Klain expressing his frustration over Biden's preoccupation with infrastructure, arguing that the President's focus is misdirected. "I think the president is out there too much talking about bridges," Klain is heard saying in the audio. "He does two or three events a week where hes cutting a ribbon on a bridge. And heres a bridge. Like I tell you, if you go into the grocery store, you go to the grocery store and, you know, eggs and milk are expensive, the fact that theres a f---ing bridge is not [inaudible]."
Klain's critique didn't stop there. He continued, "Hes not a congressman. Hes not running for Congress. I think its kind of a fools errand. I think that [it] also doesnt get covered that much because, look, its a f---ing bridge. Like its a bridge, and how interesting is the bridge? Its a little interesting but its not a lot interesting."
The audio was reportedly recorded at a private event hosted by "Democracy: A Journal of Ideas," where Klain was a speaker. Klain served as White House chief of staff from Biden's inauguration until early February 2023.
In a subsequent interview with Politico, Klain expanded on his criticism but did not retract his statements. "The presidents most effective economic message is contrast around whose side are you on, and compassion for the [pinch] of family budgets, and his agenda to bring down costs and raise incomes and that lauding achievements especially ones with abstract benefits is less persuasive with voters," Klain told the outlet.
Responding to Klain's remarks, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said, "Like Ron says, President Biden is crisscrossing the country building on his State of the Union message, highlighting that he is fighting to grow the middle class and lower costs like prescription drugs while blocking the trickle-down agenda Republican officials have proposed on behalf of rich special interests, including Medicare cuts and tax giveaways to big corporations," Bates told Politico.
In March, Biden emphasized infrastructure, embarking on a multi-day tour of Wisconsin and Michigan to announce $3.3 billion for infrastructure projects in disadvantaged communities. "Were rebuilding the roads, were filling in the cracks in the sidewalk, were creating spaces to live and work and play safely, and to breathe clean air, and to shop at a nearby grocery stocked with fresh and healthy food," he said at an event in Milwaukee.
Biden added, "Youve lived and felt decisions made decades ago. Today, today, were making decisions to transform your lives for decades to come."
The $3.3 billion in grants announced at the event covered 132 total projects, including in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as Birmingham, Alabama; Syracuse, New York; and Toledo, Ohio. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted that some of the projects are relatively modest and can be completed in "short order," while others are "massive and ambitious undertakings that will take many years."
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