President Joe Biden engaged in tense exchanges with NBC "Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt during an interview, questioning Holt's reporting and defending his debate performance.
President Joe Biden engaged in several heated exchanges with NBC "Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt during an interview that aired Friday evening, questioning Holt's reporting and defending his debate performance.
Biden's most pointed remarks came in response to Holt's questions about his debate performance against then-President Donald Trump. Holt suggested that Biden had been "defensive" during the debate, and that Trump had "gotten under his skin."
Biden Spars with Lester Holt Over Reporting, Debate Performance
"I don't respond to insults," Biden shot back. "And I don't respond to lies."
Biden also questioned Holt's reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic. Holt asked Biden about the rising number of cases and deaths, and whether he was considering implementing stricter measures to contain the virus.
"Your reporting is not accurate," Biden said. "The number of cases is going down, and the number of deaths is going down."
Holt pressed Biden on his claim, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, Biden insisted that Holt was "misinterpreting" the data.
The interview also featured heated exchanges over Biden's economic policies. Holt asked Biden about the rising cost of living, and whether he was doing enough to address the concerns of American families.
"We're doing everything we can," Biden said. "But it's going to take time to turn this economy around."
However, Holt pressed Biden on whether he was doing enough to help low-income families. Biden responded that he was "committed to helping every American," but acknowledged that there was more work to be done.
The interview ended on a slightly more positive note, with Biden thanking Holt for his time. However, the tension between the two men was evident throughout the exchange.
The interview was widely seen as a combative one, with Biden appearing to be frustrated with Holt's questions. However, some analysts suggested that Biden's combativeness may have been a sign of his confidence.
"Biden is not afraid to stand up for himself," said one political analyst. "He's not going to let the media push him around."
Others argued that Biden's combativeness was a sign of his weakness.
"Biden is on the defensive," said another analyst. "He's trying to hide his own failures by attacking the media."
The interview is sure to fuel speculation about Biden's relationship with the media. Biden has long had a contentious relationship with the press, and the interview with Holt did little to improve the situation.
