President Joe Biden stubbornly refused to admit Americans’ struggles with inflation might cost him the election in a rare interview Wednesday.
A growing economy could inspire confidence in Biden’s leadership ahead of the election, but the issue of persistent inflation could ruin that.
Biden, who was in Wisconsin to tout his record on the economy and to announce an investment by Microsoft to build a factory, defended his handling of inflation.
Polls show voters are nervous and critical of Biden’s handling of the economy and anchor Erin Burnett reminded him that grocery prices are up 30 percent.
But Biden, in his interview with CNN, claimed the polls are wrong and Americans struggling with inflation have more cash in their pockets, saying: ‘They have the money to spend.’
President Joe Biden stubbornly refused to admit Americans’ struggles with inflation might cost him the election in a rare interview Wednesday
Polls show voters are nervous about the critical and critical of Biden’s handling of the economy
He did admit that inflation, one of the biggest factors that sank Biden’s popularity in the first half of his term, was real.
‘It is real, but the fact is that if you take a look at what people have, they have the money to spend,’ he claimed.
He blamed ‘greedy corporations’ for consumers’ lack of confidence.
‘It angers them and it angers me that you have to spend more. For example, the whole idea of this notion that you have… shrinkflation… It’s like 20% less for the same price, that is corporate greed. It is corporate greed and we’ve got to deal with it.’
Many were enraged on social media by Biden’s comments while Americans continue to struggle.
One critic wrote: ‘Most people don’t have the money because they are honest, unlike pathological lying Joe!’
Another said: ‘He is the most clueless president this country has ever had and that is the way history will remember him.’
‘The man is out of touch with EVERYTHING,’ added another.
He did admit that inflation, one of the biggest factors that sank Biden’s popularity in the first half of his term, was real. But chose to blame ‘greedy corporations’ for consumers lack of confidence
A growing economy could inspire confidence in Biden’s leadership ahead of the election, but the issue of persistent inflation could ruin that
In a recent CNN poll, Biden’s approval ratings for the economy (34%) and inflation (29%) were in the negative zone. And voters cite the economy as their concern when picking a president.
‘The polling data has been wrong all along,’ Biden said of the numbers, questioning the effectiveness of phone surveys.
‘We’ve already turned it around,’ Biden said in response to a question on whether, less than six months before Election Day, he was running short on time to improve voters view of him.
‘I think I’m feeling good about the trajectory of the campaign. And, and you know, as far as I do, most people don’t really focus and make up their mind till the fall. There’s a lot going on,’ he noted.
In an interview with CNN that was conducted in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Biden also explained why he thinks the polls are wrong and warned Israel he would withhold U.S. weapons if it invades Rafah.
He also conceded he is watching the coverage of Trump’s hush money trial in New York – which included shocking testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels – and even had kind words for his Republican rival who remains stuck in a New York court room.
It was a rare sit-down interview for the president with a major news outlet. He has mostly spoken to friendlier outlets – like the ‘Smartless’ podcast and radio host Howard Stern.
President Biden sat down for an interview with CNN, a rare interview with a major news outlet
Biden sounded hoarse in the 30 minute interview, which aired Wednesday night but didn’t hold back when it came to sounding off against his Republican rival even has he said he prays for Trump.
‘God love him,’ he said when asked about Trump’s hush-money trial in New York.
And added he’s tracking it ‘only on the evening news.’
He also predicted, like in their 2020 contest, that Trump won’t accept the results of the November election.
‘I promise you he won’t,’ he told CNN’s Erin Burnett. ‘He won’t, which is dangerous.’
He also revealed what Obama advised him when it came to his rematch with Trump.
‘Keep doing what you’re doing,’ he said.
Trump has repeatedly – and falsely – claimed to be the victim of voter fraud and the true winner of the 2020 election. Multiple recounts and investigations have shown Biden was the victor.
The former president faces state charges in Georgia on charges he and his allies tried to overturn Biden’s victory there.
But a Georgia appeals court on Wednesday delayed Trump’s criminal case in that state, agreeing to hear an appeal from the former president that may foreclose a trial taking place this year.
Trump faces four counts on the federal level tied to the January 6th insurrection on Capitol Hill. But the case is on hold awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court on whether or not Trump, as president at the time, has immunity.
‘God love him,’ Biden said of Donald Trump (above), who is in New York on trial
In this courtroom sketch, defense attorney Susan Necheles, center, cross examines Stormy Daniels, far right, as former President Donald Trump, left, looks on
Biden’s re-election team has touted their massive fundraising numbers and on-the-ground operation in battleground states. They also point out Trump is required to be in New York for the trial.
‘By the end of this month, we will have at least 200 offices and 500 staff,’ said Dan Kanninen, director of battleground states for the campaign, in a briefing with reporters on Tuesday.
‘The Trump campaign has virtually no presence in most of the battleground states. If they decide to do any organizing work at all, they will almost certainly be forced to rely on expensive and last-minute tactics with folks who have never set foot in a community in which they’re knocking doors.’
National polls show a statistical tie between Biden and Trump. But, in several polls of key battleground states, the former president leads.
With six months to go, anything can happen and a lot of factors remain in play.
Biden, as of late, has shifted tactics on Trump. He’s taken to mocking his Republican rival throwing out zingers that call into question everything from the former president’s energy levels to his hair.
At the White House Correspondents Dinner last month, Biden even mocked Trump’s hush money trial in New York noting his rival is facing ‘stormy days’ – a reference to porn star Stormy Daniels.
And, at fundraisers lately, Biden has been talking about a ‘defeated-looking’ man who had complained to him about a ‘crushing debt.’
‘And I had to look at him and say, ‘Donald, I’m sorry. I can’t help you,’ Biden said.
The donors in the audience typically burst into applause and cheers.
President Joe Biden revealed the advice Obama has given him
President Joe Biden meets with campaign volunteers at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center in Racine, Wis.
Trump is facing multiple trials on the state and federal level: including a hush-money case in New York, a federal case over his handling of classified documents, and both federal and state charges he tried to overturn the 2020 election results.
He’s gotten a few breaks however and it’s looking more-and-more likely he won’t face any more courtroom time – once the hush-money trial is finished – until after the election.
Biden, meanwhile, is dealing with an unstable Middle East and progressives who are unhappy with his staunch support of Israel and the treatment of Palestinian refugees.
Then there is Robert Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential bid. Both Trump and Biden’s teams are worried Kennedy could play a spoiler role, taking voters away from each of them.
Trump has ramped up his criticism of RFK Jr., and Biden rolled out a dozen endorsements from the Kennedy family to counter RFK Jr.’s use of the clan’s political legacy.
Biden’s health remains an issue. The president will turn 82 just weeks after Election Day, Nov. 5, and is already the oldest president in U.S. history; Trump is 77.
And his approval rating remains at a low 38 percent, per Gallup polling.