Biden responds affirmatively to question about whether he trusts Putin, White House comms team walks it back

Biden nodded affirmatively in response to a question about trust between the heads of state. The White House was quick to point out that Biden gave a "general head nod" in response to "the chaos."

ADVERTISEMENT
Image
Libby Emmons Brooklyn NY
ADVERTISEMENT

The White House communications team had to walk back indications made by President Joe Biden that he trusts Russian Vladimir Putin and that the two leaders trust each other. Biden nodded affirmatively in response to a question about trust between the heads of state. The White House was quick to point out that Biden was giving a "general head nod" in response to "the chaos."

White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reported that President Biden was asked in Geneva "Do you trust Putin? Do you trust each other?" and that the president "looked directly at the reporter and nodded affirmatively."

Press Secretary Jen Psaki walked back the "nod," giving a statement that "During a chaotic free-for-all with members of the press shouting questions over each other, the President gave a general head no in the direction of the media. He wasn't responding to any question or anything other than the chaos."

Breitbart White House correspondent Charlie Spiering notes that Psaki made these assertions before conferring with Biden on what he meant. She assumed he was nodding at chaos, not answering the question.

White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield similarly said that "It was a chaotic scrum with reporters shouting over each other. [The president] was very clearly not responding to any one question, but nodding in acknowledgment to the press generally. He said just two days ago in his presser: 'verify, then trust.'"

What Biden said in that press conference was in answer to a question about President Ronald Regan's concept of "trust, but verify," as regarded his position to the then Soviet Union.

"I'd verify first and then trust," Biden said, noting that treaties aren't about trust but holding adversaries accountable.

"I'm hoping that President Putin concludes that there is some interest in terms of his own interest in changing the perception that the world has of him in terms of whether or not he will engage in behavior that's more consistent with what is considered to be appropriate behavior for a head of state."

Indeed, chaos has surrounded the Biden visit to Europe for first the G7 conference and then the meeting with Putin, on Switzerland's neutral ground. He was seen checking his note cards, which he seems often to have with him, prior to the meeting.

Biden has basically said that he would not be taking questions that were not approved by staff, and during the G7 he repeatedly got the countries of Syria and Libya confused. French President Emanuel Macron claimed that Biden was "part of the club."

CNN simply took the opportunity of the leaders' meeting to fawn over Biden's "significant handshake."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Join and support independent free thinkers!

We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.

Support The Post Millennial

Remind me next month

To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 The Post Millennial, Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information