President Joe Biden criticized NBC News’ Lester Holt and the news media for focusing on his gaffes instead of fact-checking former President Donald Trump.
In a contentious exchange Monday, Biden acknowledged having a “bad night” — as he’s called it before — but said the media wasn’t talking enough about Trump’s performance.
“Lester, look – why don’t you talk about 18 to 28 lies [Trump] Said? Where are you on this and why isn’t the press talking about it? Biden asked. “I had a bad, bad night, I wasn’t feeling well, I was … I screwed up.”
He told Holt he “saw bits” of the debate but not the entire broadcast, rejecting the idea that watching the entire show would help him understand why so many joined the chorus to suspend his campaign.
“I didn’t have to see it, I was there,” Biden laughed. “And, seriously, you’re not going to answer the question, but why didn’t the press cover all the lies he told.”
“We’ve reported on a number of issues that have come out of that debate,” Holt responded, prompting Biden to chime in, “No, you didn’t. No, you didn’t.
Asked if he would consider agreeing to another debate before the one already agreed to in September, he replied, “I’m on the horse,” in an attempt to “try to get back on the horse.” !”
And he refused to say what he would do if there was another disappointing debate in September.
“I’m not planning another performance at that level,” he said.
After the interview ended, Biden couldn’t resist taking one final jab at Holt, telling the NBC News anchor: “Sometime, come to me and talk about what we need to talk about,” after Holt thanked the president.
