Biden skips taking questions at G-20 in Brazil, despite reporter pleading with him

President Biden faced criticism for ignoring a reporter’s pleas to speak to the press as he boarded Air Force One to depart from Rio de Janeiro after attending the G-20 summit. The incident occurred as Biden wrapped up his trip to Brazil, where he met with world leaders including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Video footage captured the moment when an unidentified reporter tried to get Biden’s attention by shouting questions at him. Despite the reporter’s persistent attempts, Biden did not respond, leading to speculation about whether he heard her over the noise of the plane’s engines or chose to ignore her.

The reporter’s pleas grew more urgent as she asked, “Mr. President, happy early birthday! For your birthday, will you talk to us, sir?” She continued, “As a gift to the press, will you please talk to us? Mr. President! President Biden, please! We haven’t heard from you all trip!”

Biden, who turns 82 the following day, has been criticized for his avoidance of reporters’ questions and lack of direct interviews with the media. Many news outlets have highlighted this pattern of behavior, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in his administration.

The New York Times issued a statement in April, expressing concern over Biden’s avoidance of independent journalists and major news outlets. The publication emphasized the importance of the free press in a democracy and the need for the president to engage with the media to provide insights into his thinking and actions.

While Biden may have the right to choose which media outlets he speaks to, the statement underscored the broader principle of accountability and transparency in government. Avoiding interviews and questions from major news organizations sets a concerning precedent that could be used by future presidents to evade scrutiny and avoid accountability.

In light of these criticisms, it remains to be seen how President Biden will address the ongoing concerns about his interactions with the press. As the oldest person to serve as president in American history, Biden’s approach to media engagement will continue to be a topic of scrutiny and discussion in the coming months.