Biden apologizes for being 'such a wiseguy' after snapping at CNN reporter

President Biden's press conference in Geneva on Wednesday wrapped up on a tense note — and he's now offering an apology for it.
As Biden was leaving his Wednesday press conference in Geneva following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, CNN's Kaitlan Collins asked why he's "so confident" that Putin will change his behavior. The president appeared agitated by the question as he turned around and pushed back against it.
"I'm not confident he'll change his behavior," Biden said. "What the hell — what do you do all the time? When did I say I was confident?"
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
The CNN reporter followed up by asking how Biden's meeting with Putin could be characterized as constructive, noting that Putin hasn't changed his behavior in the past, to which Biden shot back, "If you don't understand that, you're in the wrong business."
Shortly after the exchange, Biden again spoke with reporters and apologized for snapping at Collins, while still criticizing reporters for being too "negative."
"I owe my last questioner an apology," he said. "I shouldn't have been such a wiseguy in the last answer I gave."
On CNN, Collins called this apology by Biden "unnecessary," saying "he did not have to apologize" and that while "I do appreciate that he did," she was "just doing my job."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
September 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include RFK Jr on the hook, the destruction of discourse, and more
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Crossword: September 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
‘Peak consumption has become the Holy Grail of the energy debate’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
Burkina Faso's misinformation war
Under The Radar The president of the West African country has quickly become the face of a viral, AI-powered propaganda campaign
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law