Lame-duck President Joe Biden shocked the White House press briefing room by showing up to take questions for the first time in his entire presidency.
Of course, his presence in the room generated awkward exchanges with reporters.
At one point, Biden made a remark about being back in the 2024 presidential race.
According to the Daily Mail, several of the journalists in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room gasped when the 81-year-old president walked in instead of the usual, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The president entered the room with the intention of talking about new jobs numbers that the Biden-Harris administration believes are favorable.
Instead, Biden took questions about the situation in the Middle East and the government’s response to Hurricane Helene cleanup.
Biden took several questions, with many being about Israel’s likely counterattack to Iran’s surprise missile barrage last week.
“If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about an alternative to striking oil fields,” Biden said when asked whether or not he believes an Israeli strike on Iranian oil fields would be on the table.
Biden commented on the claims from some Democrats that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing off a ceasefire deal to meddle in the U.S. election.
“No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none,” Biden replied.
“And I think Bibi should remember that if he’s trying to influence the election or not.
“I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.”
As reporters scrambled to ask Biden questions, Jean-Pierre was forced to step in to “save” the president.
WATCH:
JUST IN: White House briefing room descends into chaos as President Biden stands in front of shouting reporters, not knowing who to call on.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre jumped in to save Biden as reporters shouted at him, trying to ask questions.
At one point during the… pic.twitter.com/XyC2L73s7R
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 4, 2024
Biden also took jabs at “MAGA Republicans” during his brief appearance.
However, while his questions certainly made for news stories, it was his parting “joke” that raised the most eyebrows.
As he was walking out, Biden was asked whether he was reconsidering his decision to drop out of the presidential race.
“I’m back in,” the president reportedly joked.
Some on social media believe Biden is working overtime to troll Vice President Kamala Harris and enact some level of revenge for her swooping in and taking his presidential reelection crown.
