"Listen to Him": An Analysis of a Boring Presidential Press Conference

Folks, there was a Presidential press conference today. 

There were some awkward whispers. There were some stutters. There was a passionate and loud lament about American children being lost to gun violence. There were some flubs and slip ups. President Zelensky of Ukraine became President Putin for a hot second, and Vice President Trump became Vice President Harris during an initial gaffe. Other than that, it was a standard and substantive press briefing where the President of the United States took questions from aggressive reporters and answered at length on complex foreign and domestic issues. 

The best thing about the whole affair was that it was pretty boring.

Unfortunately, that meant our favorite serial killer cannibal Hannibal Lecter didn’t make an appearance. Neither did Tim Apple nor Dr. Ronny Johnson. There were no rants about sharks and boats or musings about electric planes. There was no rage against windmills. In fact, there was very little rage. It wasn’t Festivus. There were zero promises of retribution and vengeance against both real and perceived enemies. Vice Presidents were praised instead of being thrown to a horde of violent insurrectionists. Putin was mentioned again, but not as a paramour or object of lustful affection. He was rightfully seen as a threat and an incalcitrant leader. Palestinians weren’t mentioned as a pejorative, but sadly they continue being invisible during Israel’s ongoing genocide. However, the word “occupation” was used and there was criticism of Israel’s extremist government. 

The strongest comments were when President Biden asked the press directly if they believe our democracy is currently “under siege.” He mentioned the “conservative” Supreme Court, but it would have been more accurate to use the term extremist, and he discussed Project 2025, the MAGA blueprint for minoritarian rule. He conceded there are concerns within his party about his ability to win the 2024 election and that he’s currently an underdog. He still believes he’s the best person to give his party victory unless it’s shown “there was no way [he] could win.”

Will this be enough to satiate the punditocracy that has breathlessly railed about a terrible Presidential debate for the past two weeks and ignored every other pressing issue? Will it quell the nerves of anxious Democrats? Probably not. But, Brian Stelter did tweet the following: “Millions of Democratic voters watched Biden's press conference, and now some of them are wondering, "why are the chattering classes trying to force this man out of office?" To which I replied, “Aren’t you a teacher of this class.” Alas, I won’t hold my breath for an answer. 

Regardless, it’s clear Biden is 81-years-old. His voice is more frail and weak than before and he is more physically diminished. He can’t lie and gaslight as forcefully and theatrically as Trump, which somehow is seen as strength. However, what the press conference revealed is that has an excellent grasp and understanding of complex domestic and foreign policies. There were no signs of dementia or cognitive decline. If flubs are evidence of weakness, then it’s only fair we compare his performances to the unhinged spectacles that are Trump rallies. 

The reality is unfair and brutal. President Biden and Trump are both old men but held to different standards. Every single Biden mistake will be highlighted and exaggerated from here on out. Meanwhile, “both sides” corporate media framing has essentially normalized all of Trump’s vulgarity and incompetence to the point it no longer even registers as a column or headline. It seems like every institution and its leaders are paving the road towards fascism for the sake of clicks, views, access, profits, and ratings without realizing they will eventually join us in the camps.

If Biden stays in the race, and he says he will, then it’s time for all pro-democracy coalitions to unite and fight against Trump and MAGA. I believe Biden should do more of these press conferences. Make the flubs, the stutters, own his age and limitations, but show the American public he at least understands the issues, cares, and is willing to fight, especially compared to the other guy who is currently out on bail. 

When a reporter told Biden that his flub of “Vice President Trump” was being used by the twice-impeached vulgarian to mock him, he replied, “Listen to him.” That was an excellent parting shot. Indeed, Americans, and the press, should actually listen to the horrifying, dangerous, and reckless statements Trump and his minions are saying and promoting. One can only hope a majority of us realize that if you have to choose between living in a democracy under an 81-year-old or a dictatorship under a 78-year-old, we’ll choose the older guy with a stutter.

“Anyway,” that’s just my two cents.