Biden Makes Stop In Michigan
On Thursday, President Joe Biden visited Saginaw, Michigan in an effort to boost his re-election campaign and speak to volunteers supporting his bid to retain the White House. During his trip, he stopped at a 131-year-old Victorian mansion owned by members of the Saginaw City Council and Saginaw Public Schools Board of Education.
At the mansion, Biden made a surprise statement, asking, “Can I take a couple questions?” However, before he could get any answers, his team quickly intervened and removed the press from the event. The incident, which was caught on video and shared on social media, sparked backlash from viewers.
Many social media users criticized the move, calling it an “incredible scene.” Some described the moment as Biden’s handlers “flying in like Secret Service agents” to protect him from speaking to the press. Others pointed out that the President’s team was actively preventing him from speaking freely and spontaneously, as former President Donald Trump often did.
“We’re going to take a few questions.”
Not in front of the journalists.. back to the cars guys
Amazing clip. https://t.co/XOkSXjWgmp
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) March 14, 2024
The video quickly gained traction and caught the attention of various media outlets, with commentators from both sides of the political spectrum reacting to the incident. Stephen L. Miller, a Contributing Editor at The Spectator, called it an “amazing clip,” while Buzz Patterson, a writer for the conservative blog Red State, said it was a clear display of Biden’s staff controlling the President’s interactions with the press.
Despite the criticism, the incident was also met with humor from some social media users. Grateful Calvin, a freelancer for Twitchy, jokingly commented, “You know the words by now… ‘This is fine. He’s fine. Everything is fine.'”
Biden’s visit to Saginaw came after he made stops in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, two crucial states for the Democratic Party. The President’s goal was to build momentum after his State of the Union address last week, where he focused on his administration’s accomplishments and plans for the future. The three states, collectively known as a “blue wall” because of their historical support for Democrats, are crucial for Biden’s re-election campaign.
During his trip, Biden also made a stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he announced $3.3 billion for infrastructure projects in disadvantaged communities. The funds, which come from the bipartisan infrastructure law that Biden signed in his first year of presidency, are aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens by investing in necessary infrastructure development. One of the highlighted projects is the reconnection of parts of Milwaukee’s 6th Street, which had been divided by highway construction in the 1960s.
While Biden’s Saginaw trip was intended to be a positive representation of his efforts to improve communities and boost his re-election campaign, the incident with the press overshadowed the visit. Criticism and humor surrounding the video spread quickly, showing the power of social media in shaping public opinion.
As the 2022 midterms approach and the 2024 presidential election looms, it’s likely that incidents like this will continue to be heavily scrutinized and discussed.