Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dodged questions from the press on Monday after addressing civil unrest publicly for the first time, providing ammunition for supporters of President Trump to claim he is going out of his way to avoid the media.
Roughly 63 days out from Election Day, Biden delivered a speech in Pittsburgh in which he accused Trump of being incapable of preventing the violence that’s sprouted across multiple cities this summer. Upon concluding his speech, the former vice president declined questions from reporters in the room, but he did acknowledge their presence at one point.
“There’s not a single thing beyond our capacity when we decide to do it together. So let’s get together. I want to thank you all. May God bless you, and may God protect our troops,” Biden said in closing his address before walking out.
Although Biden has participated in some interviews, he has not taken questions in a news conference in at least a month, predating his decision to pick Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate and his acceptance of the party’s nomination.
Trump supporters and conservative personalities were quick to chide Biden for missing the opportunity to take questions. They also compared how many questions he’s taken in recent weeks to the number Trump has answered.
Since July 19, Joe Biden has answered 131 questions from the press. President Trump has answered 838 questions.
Joe Biden hasn’t taken questions at a press conference since July 28. He went 32 of those days without taking a single question. https://t.co/qx9TvL1FJX
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) August 31, 2020
The fact that Joe Biden still cannot take questions from the press is very telling.
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) August 31, 2020
Joe Biden’s speech is done.
No press questions.
Back to bed for Sleepy Joe!
— Buzz Patterson for Congress (CA-7) (@BuzzPatterson) August 31, 2020
Joe Biden didn’t take any questions… again. Here is one I was curious about: Does he have an updated comment on the fact 13 of his campaign staff members made donations to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a group that paid bail in riot-torn Minneapolis?https://t.co/C0bD3KdOIO
— Michele Perez Exner (@michelepexner) August 31, 2020
Biden’s surrogates have largely been those present in media during the presidential campaign this summer. At the end of July, the former vice president delivered a speech on his proposed economic plans should he be elected come this November. In late June, Biden took 15 questions during an event in Wilmington, Delaware, the first time he took questions at a press conference in months.
“Guys, I really do have to go. I apologize. I’m gonna get in real trouble. I’m probably already in trouble,” Biden said at the event in June before taking two final questions about statues of historical figures and concerns he may be in a state of cognitive decline.
In mid-August, Biden held a press conference with Harris to debut the two as the 2020 Democratic ticket. Both Harris and Biden gave prepared speeches but shied away from questions. The two also held a press event to sign papers for the Democratic Party’s presidential and vice presidential nominations, but campaign staffers pushed reporters out of the room to prevent any questions.
Trump then criticized the 77-year-old politician for his lack of interaction with reporters. “Very strange. Sleepy Joe never takes questions,” Trump tweeted. “Also, his reporters have zero drive. Why can’t my reporters behave like that? Something is going on!”
Very strange. Sleepy Joe never takes questions. Also, his reporters have zero drive. Why can’t my reporters behave like that? Something is going on! https://t.co/SQAq0KVUqw
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2020
