President Joe Biden will appear on "The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle" for his first one-on-one interview since announcing his reelection bid. The interview is set to air at 10 p.m. Eastern. Last week, during a joint news conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Biden addressed concerns about his age when asked if he has the stamina to serve a second term in the White House.
Biden responded by stating that Americans can make their own determination regarding his ability to lead effectively for another term. He also referenced his victory over former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election as evidence of public support for him.
However, there have been questions raised about President Biden's energy levels and mental competency due to a perceived lack of regular campaign stops, interviews, and headline rallies. The White House recently had to correct an announcement made by Biden regarding a major press conference that was not scheduled.
In addition to this gaffe, sources familiar with the situation revealed that Biden accidentally referred to an already planned MSNBC interview while celebrating Cinco de Mayo within the US-Latino community.
Despite these mishaps, President Joe Biden remains focused on addressing important issues facing the nation during both formal events and impromptu moments like Friday's visit to a local taqueria where he ordered lunch for himself and aides.
White House staffers have been working diligently behind-the-scenes trying to manage such situations and clarify any confusion arising from unscheduled announcements or statements made by the president.
One journalist present at Friday's event shared their frustration with limited access: “We've had very few opportunities so far under this administration.” Nonetheless, reporters are hopeful they will get more chances soon as presidential press conferences are typically announced well in advance barring national crises or significant new developments.