White House staffers had to dash reportersā hopes after President Joe Biden appeared to announce he would be holding a āmajorā press conference.
During an event at the White House on Friday, the president told reporters, āIām doing a major press conference this afternoon, so I love you all, but Iād like to ask you to leave.ā
Despite signaling he would not be taking questions, reporters still shouted some questions.
In response to one question, Biden said, āIāll be happy to talk to you about that but not now.ā
āWeāll get a chance to talk about all those things, I promise you,ā the president said in response to another reporter.
CNNās John King commented as the network cut away from the White House, āThe President of the United States saying ā this is news to us ā that he would have a press conference later today and answer more questions.ā
āWeāll get you more information on that as we get it,ā he added.
Watch the video below:
However, it turns out Biden apparently did not intend to say press conference.
The New York Timesā Katie Rogers tweeted, āThe president was referring to his MSNBC interview tonight when he said he was delivering a āmajorā press conference this afternoon, per 2 familiar.ā
https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1654523419512143877
Biden is slated to sit down for an interview with MSNBCās 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 āthe administrationās infrastructure agenda, the 2024 campaign and recently announced reelection bid, the shaping GOP field, looming debt ceiling crisis, and moreā 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.