Despite being the oldest president in U.S. history, according to a new book, Joe Biden sometimes feels that his staff treats him condescendingly, leading to moments of frustration.
A new book by Franklin Foer, titled “The Last Politician,” delves into the inner workings of the White House, shedding light on this issue.
The book highlights how President Biden’s staff members often find themselves scrambling to address the fallout from his off-script comments, which can lead to challenging situations. One such incident occurred during a critical speech about Russia’s war on Ukraine, when Biden deviated from his prepared remarks.
During the speech, Chief of the Joint Staff General Mark Milley had encouraged Biden to deliver a momentous address, likening it to President Reagan’s famous “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech. Biden aimed for loftiness, emphasizing the moral imperative of countering authoritarianism.
However, the speech took an unexpected turn when Biden made an off-the-cuff remark that sounded like a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s overthrow. This statement alarmed both Americans and international allies, raising concerns about potential retaliation and escalation.
Biden’s staff promptly issued a statement to clarify the comment, but they did so without consulting the president, which irked him.
The incident, detailed in Foer’s book, sheds light on the dynamics within the White House and the challenges faced by the president and his team due to Biden’s candidness.
When asked about the book’s claim that Biden felt babied, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rebuked the assertion, dismissing it as “a ridiculous claim” and emphasizing that no one treats the President of the United States like a baby.
