White House staffers had to dash reporters’ hopes after President Joe Biden appeared to announce he would be holding a “major” press conference.
During an event at the White House on Friday, the president told reporters, “I’m doing a major press conference this afternoon, so I love you all, but I’d like to ask you to leave.”
Despite signaling he would not be taking questions, reporters still shouted some questions.
In response to one question, Biden said, “I’ll be happy to talk to you about that but not now.”
“We’ll get a chance to talk about all those things, I promise you,” the president said in response to another reporter.
CNN’s John King commented as the network cut away from the White House, “The President of the United States saying — this is news to us — that he would have a press conference later today and answer more questions.”
“We’ll get you more information on that as we get it,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Biden to the press: "I'm doing a major press conference this afternoon, so I love you all, but I'd like to ask you to leave."
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 5, 2023
CNN's John King: "This is news to us" pic.twitter.com/4OYOK9Xszx
However, it turns out Biden apparently did not intend to say press conference.
The New York Times’ Katie Rogers tweeted, “The president was referring to his MSNBC interview tonight when he said he was delivering a ‘major’ press conference this afternoon, per 2 [people] familiar.”
At ease. The president was referring to his MSNBC interview tonight when he said he was delivering a "major" press conference this afternoon, per 2 ppl familiar.
— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) May 5, 2023
Biden is slated to sit down for an interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle. The interview will air Friday at 10 p.m., and marks his first interview with a major network since February.
He is expected to discuss “the administration’s infrastructure agenda, the 2024 campaign and recently announced reelection bid, the shaping GOP field, looming debt ceiling crisis, and more” during the interview, according to a news release.
The New York Times reports Biden has given fewer press conferences than any of his predecessors since Ronald Reagan.
He has held an average of 10 press conferences per year.
By contrast, former President Donald Trump held an average of 19.5 by the same point in his presidency, and former President Barack Obama held an average of 23.
