Critics on the right slam Biden’s press conference as a ‘disaster’

President Biden’s much-anticipated solo press conference on Thursday evening didn’t quite hit the mark for conservatives, who took to social media to lambast his performance. Critics called out the president for fumbling his way through questions about foreign policy and the upcoming 2024 presidential race.

Biden faced the media while concluding a NATO summit in Washington, D.C., and his performance was marred by a series of missteps. These included mixing up Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Donald Trump, hesitating during responses, and revealing that he had a list of reporters he planned to call on.

“Crooked Joe starts his ‘Big Boy’ Press Conference with, ‘I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.’ Great job, Joe!” Trump quipped on Truth Social in response to Biden’s gaffe.

Following the press conference, conservatives and other critics of the president didn’t hold back in their criticism.

Biden’s press conference comes at a time when concerns about his health and suitability for office are mounting. This scrutiny intensified following his lackluster debate performance last month, sparking worries within the Democratic Party about the impact of Biden’s age (81) and purported cognitive decline as he goes head-to-head with Trump.

Despite the rising concerns and pressure for him to step down in favor of a different candidate, Biden has made it clear that he is not backing down. “There’s been a lot of speculation: What’s Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? What’s he going to do?” Biden addressed these speculations during a recent speech in Madison, Wisconsin, affirming, “Well, here’s my answer: I am running and going to win again.”

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi echoed a sentiment of caution, urging Democrats to reserve their judgment on Biden’s candidacy until further developments unfold. “Let’s just hold off,” Pelosi suggested on MSNBC. “Whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week.”

Thursday’s press conference marked Biden’s first solo appearance in front of the media since November of the previous year, adding significance to the event in light of the mounting scrutiny surrounding his leadership.