Biden scolds media over economy: ‘Start reporting it the right way’
President Biden chastised the media this weekend over its coverage of the economy as he grapples with lackluster approval ratings on the issue top of mind to most voters ahead of 2024.
“What’s your outlook on the economy next year?” a reporter asked the 81-year-old Saturday as he departed the White House to spend Christmas at Camp David.
“All good,” Biden shot back, adding: “Take a look. Start reporting it the right way.”
Since taking office, Biden has been haunted by poor marks from voters on the economy. His current approval rating on the issue sits at 37.2% while 59.7% of Americans disapprove of his economic stewardship, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.
Shortly after he became president, Biden presided over decades-high inflation, supply chain snarls, and other economic woes.
While inflation has cooled, wages and incomes have yet to catch up with price increases, leaving he president stuck in neutral with the electorate.
For November, inflation came in at 3.1% for the previous 12 months, stubbornly higher than the 2% target figure set by the Federal Reserve, but well below the 9.1% high from June 2022.
Biden and his allies have sought to transform the political liability into an asset, touting so-called “Bidenomics” on the campaign trail to a mixed reception.
Former President Donald Trump, 77, has generally scored higher ratings with the public than Biden on the economy ahead of a potential election showdown.
During his brief gaggle with reporters, Biden also briefly discussed Trump’s push for presidential immunity from charges in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election result.
When asked if “any president is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution,” Biden replied: “I can’t think of one.”
Hours later, Trump’s attorneys filed their initial brief on the matter to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.
On Friday, the Supreme Court spurned special counsel Jack Smith’s request to rule quickly in the case.
