The Media Is Finally Questioning President Biden’s Lack of Press Conferences

Connor Grant | February 23, 2021
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During a press briefing on Monday, reporters finally pressed White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki over whether President Biden plans to hold a solo press conference anytime soon. 

CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins asked the press secretary, “By this time in their presidencies, both President Donald Trump and President Obama had held solo press conferences. Are there plans for President Biden to hold a solo press conference any time soon?”

Psaki responded, “He will hold a solo press conference, but I don’t have a date for you at this point in time.”

Collins then asked, “This week?” To which Psaki responded, “No, not this week.”
 


RELATED: Biden May Be Unavailable to Media Outlets That Are Not 'Straightforward' Enough For WH

The White House press members seemed unsatisfied with the press secretary’s response, as another reporter pressed Psaki on the issue asking, “Will he get to pick the inquisitors himself?”

“Well, typically, any president has a list of people that they’re gonna call upon,” Psaki responded. “But usually, it’s a large number of people who are in the press room. And we certainly hope we’ll be able to do that in a COVID-safe way.”

Throughout President Biden’s presidential campaign, it became clear that he prefers to avoid solo press conferences and unscripted questions. As of now, it seems the president will continue this strategy. 

Former President Obama held 11 press conferences in his first year and former President Trump held one, though Trump used various other platforms to engage with both the press and the public. 

 

(Cover Photo: Gage Skidmore)

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