Joe Biden doesn’t seem stable. It’s almost as if something isn’t right in his head.
And now Biden violently lashed out at a reporter and it’s raising everyone’s eyebrows.
Lame-duck President Biden fired back at an Israeli reporter Tuesday when asked if he believed a deal could be reached to free the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza before he leaves office in January.
“President Biden, do you think we can get a hostage deal by the end of your term?” asked Israel Channel 13’s Neria Kraus as Biden, 81, prepared to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Biden, looking irked, retorted, “Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by a — a camera behind you?” The exchange was caught on video by Kraus, who appeared to hold back a laugh as Biden quickly turned his focus to Herzog, whom he described as “a personal friend.”
NEW: Biden is asked if he thinks he can get a hostage deal done, responds by asking the reporter if she can get hit in the head by a camera.
Reporter: Can you get a hostage deal done?
Biden: Do you think you can get hit in the head by the camera?pic.twitter.com/Q7gw2wQs72
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2024
The outgoing president has a pattern of pushing back on reporters who pose uncomfortable questions. In May, when asked if he planned to complete a second term, he fired back:
“Did you fall on your head or something?” Biden dropped his re-election bid on July 21.
Reporter: Will you be serving your full four years or handing over power…
Biden: Are you okay? Did you fall on your head or something? pic.twitter.com/LInSpfxz6n
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 30, 2024
For months, Biden’s administration has been working on securing a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, with hopes of easing the fighting in Gaza.
The effort was especially urgent in the run-up to the Nov. 5 election, seen as a potential unifying point for divisions in the progressive movement over the conflict.
Biden has fluctuated in his public statements, at times optimistic about a deal, and at other moments criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for insufficient efforts.
The White House has recently shifted to a tougher stance, blaming Hamas for derailing negotiations.
“Hamas has said no,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday.
“What we need to do is get the rest of the world to continue to increase pressure on Hamas to come to the table, to do a deal in Gaza, because the Israeli government has said it’s prepared to take a temporary step in that direction.”
Last month, Israeli forces eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Rafah, Gaza. Biden called this a critical step, removing what he described as an “insurmountable obstacle” to progress.
In the Oval Office, Herzog also highlighted the hostage crisis. “In Gaza, we have 101 hostages.”
“Over 400 days, I know, Mr. President, that you are day-in, day-out, actively seeking their safe return home as they are going through hell in the dungeons of Gaza,” he said, adding that Biden is not only working on their release but also envisioning a future of “security and peace” for the region.
“But first and foremost, we have to get the hostages back home,” Herzog emphasized.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
