An annoyed Joe Biden has blamed the media’s reporting as the reason why most Americans give him poor marks on the economy and not his own failed policies, which have kept inflation historically high throughout most of his presidency.
This past weekend, the current president angrily chastised the media for its coverage of the economy as he continues to grapple with lackluster approval ratings on the issue that is most top of mind with voters ahead of 2024.
“What’s your outlook on the economy next year?” a reporter asked the 81-year-old as he departed the White House to spend Christmas at Camp David.
“All good,” Biden shot back, adding: “Take a look. Start reporting it the right way.”
Since taking office, Biden has been haunted by poor marks from voters on the economy. His current approval rating on the issue sits at 37.2%, while 59.7% of Americans disapprove of his economic stewardship, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.
Shortly after he became president, Biden presided over decades-high inflation, supply chain snarls, and other economic woes. In the minds and pocketbooks of most Americans, little of that has changed. While the White House loves to tout the success of so-called “Bidenomics” the majority of Americans simply are not feeling it.
While inflation has cooled, wages and incomes have yet to catch up with price increases, leaving the president stuck in neutral with the electorate. For November, inflation came in at 3.1% for the previous 12 months, stubbornly higher than the 2% target figure set by the Federal Reserve but well below the 9.1% high from June 2022.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump, 77, has generally scored higher ratings on the economy with the public than Biden ahead of a potential election showdown.
During his brief gaggle with reporters, Biden also briefly discussed Trump’s push for presidential immunity from charges in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election result.
When asked if “any president is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution,” Biden replied, “I can’t think of one.”