A beach-strolling President Biden lashed out at a reporter, as Americans struggle to keep their heads above water amid inflation-fueled price hikes, for daring to ask about the possibility of a US recession.
WATCH BIDEN scold the reporter:
Near his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Biden was asked on the sand about economic experts “saying a recession is more likely than ever,” he barked: “Not! The majority of them aren’t saying that. Come on, don’t make things up, OK?”
“Now you sound like a Republican politician,” the president griped, before realizing how he came off and insisting, “I’m joking. That was a joke.”
Two days after falling off his bike nearby, the president emerged and proceeded to call for higher taxes on the wealthy while blaming oil companies for record-high prices at the pump.
“But all kidding aside, no, I don’t think it is [inevitable]. I was talking to [former Treasury Secretary] Larry Summers this morning and there’s nothing inevitable about a recession,” Biden said.
Biden also said on the beach that he may make a decision this week on whether to ask Congress to waive the federal gas tax of 18.3 cents per gallon.
“Yes I’m considering it. I hope I have a decision based on the data I’m looking for by the end of the week,” said the president, whose poll numbers have hit new lows due to frustration about the highest inflation since 1981.
Other polls show dozens of Democrats would rather have someone besides Joe Biden.
Previously, Biden has released millions of gallons of oil from the strategic reserve and allowed a higher proportion of ethanol in gasoline over the summer. However, neither step has arrested rising gas prices caused in part by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to AAA, the nationwide average price of a gallon of regular gas stood at $4.98, down slightly from the high of $5.016 recorded June 14.
After previously citing pandemic supply chain bottlenecks, Russian President Vladimir Putin, congressional Republicans, oil companies, meat producers and trans-oceanic shipping companies, Biden sought to blame inflation on his predecessor Donald Trump, during his chat with reporters.
“We also can move in a direction that we can provide for tax — increasing taxes on those in the corporate area as well as individuals as it relates to [former President Donald] Trump’s tax cut, which is inflationary. You know, going out and buying a yacht doesn’t help the economy a whole lot,” Biden said.
Despite the fact that annual US inflation actually dropped from 2.1% in 2017 to 1.9% in 2018, Biden blamed the December 2017 tax law for inflation. Currently, it is at 8.6%.
“We have a chance here to make a fundamental turn toward renewable energy, electric vehicles, and not just luxury vehicles, but across the board. And that’s something we should be — my team is going to be sitting down with the CEOs of the major oil companies this week … starting an explanation of how they justify making $35 billion in the first quarter,” said Biden.
“Are you planning to sit down with oil and gas CEOs?” a reporter asked.
“No,” Biden said.
“Why is that, sir?” they asked.
“Because my team is going to do that,” Biden answered, despite the fact that he regularly meets with company CEOs to discuss product supply issues.
Photo: Screencap from the YouTube video.
