Biden phones Peter Doocy to ‘clear the air’ after calling Fox reporter ‘stupid son of a b****’

The White House correspondent discussed the conversation during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s show, saying he got a call from Biden on his personal cellphone about an hour after the remark and that they “went back and forth.”

“It’s nothing personal, pal,” the president said, according to Doocy. Pressed by Hannity, Doocy declined to say whether it was an apology, as CNN reported, but noted that Biden sought to “clear the air” and said it was “a nice call.”

Doocy said he didn’t need an apology and noted Biden could call him whenever he wants “as long as it gets him talking.”

“I made sure to tell him that I’m always going to try to ask something different than what everybody else is asking, and he said, ‘You’ve got to,'”Doocy added, noting that he appreciated Biden taking time for the call as the crisis in Ukraine looms.

The remark was caught on a microphone after Biden spoke about the White House Competition Council’s steps to cut rising prices.

Doocy asked the president if he “thinks inflation is a political liability,” which prompted Biden to turn to Cabinet members, joking that “more inflation” is a “great asset.”

“What a stupid son of a bitch,” Biden added offhandedly. The White House’s official transcript of the event, released later Monday evening, includes the exchange.

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Doocy told Hannity he had two pages of questions to ask Biden about crime but changed course when Biden said he wouldn’t take questions that were off topic. Doocy also said his reaction was delayed because he initially did not hear Biden’s crude comment as staffers were trying to usher them out of the room, but he later heard it in the press room.

Last week, Biden taunted another Fox News reporter, Jacqui Heinrich, under similar circumstances, saying she asked a “stupid question.”