Irked first lady Jill Biden told reporters, “Don’t scream at me,” when asked Monday about the mounting number of House Democrats calling for 81-year-old hubby President Biden to give up his re-election bid.
“What is your message for House Democrats who are calling for your husband to drop out of the race?” a journalist asked as the first lady exited a coffee shop in Tampa, Fla. — with another reporter adding, “How are you feeling about the state of the race?”
The first lady broke her stride as she walked past the press, demanding to know, “Why are you screaming at me?
First lady Jill Biden appeared to scold a reporter for questions over her husband’s candidacy. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK
President Biden — who is battling major concerns about his health and mental agility after a catastrophic debate performance last month — did not join his wife for the stops in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock“You know me. Don’t scream at me,” she added. “Just let me talk.”
The first lady did not answer the questions before climbing into a waiting vehicle.
The White House had solicited reporters to join Jill Biden’s three-state campaign tour Monday, but the first lady is rarely asked hard-hitting questions.
President Biden — who is battling major concerns about his health and mental agility after a catastrophic debate performance last month — did not join his wife for the stops in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
Jill Biden is known for defending her husband, whose confused appearance at CNN’s June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump panicked Democrats.
At one point in 2019, Jill Biden reportedly fumed that Kamala Harris, who later became her husband’s running mate and vice president, should “go f–k” herself for attacking his historical opposition to interracial school busing.
The first lady has faced questions over whether she should allow her husband to continue campaigning. REUTERSJill Biden reportedly has been strongly supportive of her husband’s plan to forge ahead with his Nov. 5 rematch against Trump, 78, despite ever-growing opposition.
The first lady’s top aide, Anthony Bernal, who has faced allegations of bullying and sexual harassment from colleagues, has emerged as one of the president’s closest advisers after the debate catastrophe.
Nine House Democrats have said they want Biden to stand aside.
Reps. Jerry Nadler and Joseph Morelle of New York, Mark Takano of California and Adam Smith of Washington reportedly said so on a Sunday conference call — with Smith confirming his stance publicly — while Reps. Angie Craig of Minnesota, Mike Quigley of Illinois, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts have issued public statements.
