President Joe Biden made an embarrassing admission to a group of Gen Z influencers at the White House on Wednesday.
Biden dramatically dropped out of the presidential race on July 21 after coming under pressure from leading Democrats.
“And that’s why I invited you to the White House,” Biden told the influencers. “Because I’m looking for a job.”
He suggested that the 81-year-old might pursue a career as a social media influencer.
“And there are more people who want to work for your company today than any other company,” Biden said.
President Joe Biden hosted about 100 social media influencers at the White House on Wednesday
“Do you think — when I retire, where do you think I’m going to go?” the president continued. “I’ve got contacts, man. I — you all think I’m joking.”
Biden made a number of jokes about retirement and old age during his appearance.
“I know I only look like I’m 40,” he said at one point, adding, “You can laugh.”
He indicated that he had been in politics for ‘800 years’.
“I wanted to say something to you, but I don’t remember what,” the 81-year-old also said.
At the same event, Biden silenced the White House press corps, who were seated in the back of the room.
“Is that the real press or the fake ones over there?” he asked the defenders, thanking the press.
President Joe Biden takes a selfie with the 100 or so TikTokers invited to the White House for the first-ever ‘Creator Economy Conference’
“Fake news” is a term often used by Biden’s former rival, former President Donald Trump.
Biden then told White House reporters to report more positively on the economy.
“We’re going to have a soft landing,” he said when asked if the U.S. had beaten inflation. “My policies are working. Start writing that way, OK?”
Later, during the White House press conference, Jared Bernstein, chairman of the United States Council of Economic Advisers, was asked what the president meant by that jibe.
“Well, what do you think he meant by ‘start writing that way?’” Bernstein said. “That’s the first time I’ve heard him say that, I can only interpret it as meaning he doesn’t think that’s what happens.”
Biden also said at the influencer event that his grandchildren get their news through social media instead of traditional sources.
“With all due respect, they don’t read the same newspapers or watch the same television that I do,” the president said. “They listen to all of you. They listen to all of you,” he told the social media stars.
“The fact is that you are the future. You are the future,” he continued.
“And there are more people who want to work for your company today than any other company,” Biden added.
He praised social media influencers for breaking through “in ways that I think are going to change the whole dynamic of how we communicate.”
He praised social media influencers for breaking through “in ways that I think are going to change the whole dynamic of how we communicate.” The president alternated between being critical and friendlier toward the press.
“The national press. They’re good people. They’re not – they’re not crazy about me, but I like them,” he said at one point.
But when he arrived at the event’s question period, he told the “non-press” – the influential people in the room – that he would only take questions from them.
That didn’t stop White House reporters from trying.
A reporter shouted a question at Biden about the Venezuelan elections.
“I’m not talking to you guys,” Biden replied.
When she tried again, Biden let out a “shhh.”
“Yes. I’m not going to answer your question. I’m going to talk to them first — OK? I’m going to talk to the public first. OK?” the president said, before telling reporters to write more positive stories about inflation.