During a routine White House press briefing, Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy seized the opportunity to confront National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan regarding a recent report that alleged President Biden had displayed anger and frustration over declining poll numbers in crucial battleground states.
The report, originally published by NBC News, asserted that during a private meeting held at the White House in January, Biden had become visibly agitated and began to shout and use profanity upon learning about the negative impact of his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict on his poll numbers in states like Michigan and Georgia.
With a tone of curiosity and assertiveness, Doocy sought clarification from Sullivan, referencing the specific incident outlined in the report.
Biden (Credits: The Hill)
“There’s a report that when President Biden was told his handling of the war between Israel and Hamas was starting to affect his poll numbers, the quote is he began to shout and swear.
So when he does that, is he shouting and swearing about Netanyahu or about Hamas or his poll numbers?” Doocy queried, aiming to unravel the details of the alleged outburst.
In response, Sullivan opted for a rather unexpected comparison, likening Doocy’s question to a loaded and accusatory inquiry akin to the infamous “when did you stop beating your spouse” scenario.
“This is the ‘when did you stop beating your spouse’ question because I don’t think he ever did that,” Sullivan retorted, attempting to dismiss the validity of the premise behind Doocy’s inquiry.
Perplexed by Sullivan’s analogy, Doocy interjected, seeking clarification and further insight into the matter. “Excuse me?” he interjected, hoping to understand the reasoning behind Sullivan’s response.
Sullivan (Credits: Foreign Policy)
However, Sullivan maintained his stance, reiterating that he had never witnessed Biden react in such a manner, thereby casting doubt on the accuracy of the report in question.
Earlier in the briefing, Doocy also raised another pertinent issue, questioning Sullivan about the 32-day gap between Biden’s phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This inquiry underscored the journalist’s commitment to probing significant matters and holding administration officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
Despite Sullivan’s attempts to downplay the report’s significance and discredit its credibility, Doocy’s persistent questioning highlighted the media’s role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the highest levels of government.
By seeking clarification and providing a platform for scrutiny, journalists like Doocy play a crucial role in upholding democratic principles and fostering informed public discourse.
