White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will give a daily press briefing Friday afternoon that is likely to be dominated by questions about President Biden’s age and memory after a special counsel report was released Thursday.
The report from special counsel Robert Hur on his findings regarding Biden’s alleged mishandling of documents did not result in charges against the president, but may be best remembered for comments about Biden’s age and memory.
It characterized Biden as as an “elderly man with a poor memory†in one memorable phrase, which has triggered a furious pushback brom Biden and his team.
At a press event Thursday night, Biden took angry exception to the special counsel’s claim that he had trouble remembering the loss of his son Beau, saying “it wasn’t any of their damn business.â€
In response to a question about progress toward a cease-fire in Gaza, Biden expressed clear but measured concern, saying Israel’s response to Hamas was “over the top.†But that message was followed by an embarrassing gaffe, referring to the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as the leader of Mexico. The slip appeared to undermine Biden’s defense of his own mental faculties.
Today’s press briefing is slated to start at 1 p.m. EST. Jean-Pierre is set to be joined by national security spokesperson John Kirby.
Watch the live video above.
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