'Nothing personal, pal': Fox's Peter Doocy says Biden called him to 'clear the air' after 'stupid SOB' dig
President Biden, after getting a question Monday evening from Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy on whether inflation is bad politically, shot back a sarcastic response and muttered under his breath, "What a stupid son of a bitch." In case it wasn't clear from the video (and it is), the White House put Biden's comment in the official transcript.
Fox News personalities found the comment pretty funny, evidently, and Doocy laughed it off.
Later Monday night, Doocy told Fox News host Sean Hannity that "within about an hour" of Biden calling him a stupid SOB, "he called my cellphone and he said, 'It's nothing personal, pal.'" Hannity asked, "Did he apologize?" Doocy hedged: "He cleared the air, and I appreciated it. We had a nice call."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hannity noted that Doocy didn't really answer his question. "Sean, the world is, like, on the brink of World War III right now," Doocy laughed. "I appreciate that the president took a couple minutes out this evening, while he was still at the desk, to give me a call and clear the air. But you know what? I don't need anybody to apologize to me."
After a four-year break in which a president routinely insulted and belittled reporters to their faces, Biden's hot mic insult revives a long Washington tradition of top politicians saying rude things almost out of hearing. In September 2000, for example, presidential candidate George W. Bush leaned aside and told running mate Dick Cheney, "There's Adam Clymer, major-league a--hole from The New York Times." When Bush was asked later that day if he would apologize for his comment, as journalist Bill Scher noted Monday, Bush said, "I regret that it made it to the airwaves."
There also seems be a bipartisan consensus that Doocy asks "stupid" questions, as the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told him to his face in 2017.
Hey, it's a job.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Did Kamala Harris kill brat?
Talking Point Pop culture phenomenon co-opted by presidential candidate sparks claims brat is over
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 July
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The US presidents who decided not to run for a second term
The Explainer Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign was shocking, but there's a long history of presidents who've bowed out on a chance at four more years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Spare us the charade'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
How Biden's enablers may have delayed his bowing out
Talking Points Joe Biden's inner circle faces calls for a reckoning for allegedly shielding the president — and the public — from questions of aging and electoral viability
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden ends reelection bid, endorses Harris
Speed Read The sitting president gave his VP full support to replace him atop the Democratic ticket
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can Kamala Harris beat Trump?
Today's Big Question Some senior Democrats are unsure the vice-president can win in November even as party closes ranks behind her
By The Week UK Published
-
Pelosi and Obama add to doubts over Biden
Speed Read Both Democrats think the president should reconsider his reelection campaign, insiders say
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published