Biden has gone longer without a formal news conference than any president in the past 100 years

Thursday is President Biden's 50th day in office, and he'll be marking the occasion with a speech on the anniversary of the pandemic in the U.S.
But Biden has so far only given remarks like these, making official statements and speeches, but so far failing to schedule a formal solo press conference to allow reporters to ask questions. As ABC News reports, "Biden has gone longer without facing extended questions from reporters than any of his 15 predecessors over the past 100 years."
Former President George W. Bush waited 33 days into his tenure to hold a press conference, the previous record. Most other presidents held them within days or weeks. Former President Donald Trump held his first 27 days into his time in office.
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.
Last week, the White House promised Biden would hold a press conference within the month of March, but a date isn't yet set.
Of course, Biden has taken some questions from reporters at times. In January, he took eight questions after commenting on a recently-signed executive order. And he's answered one or two questions at a time at a few different Oval Office events. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has pointed to those instances while answering questions about the lack of a presser. Psaki, meanwhile, has held a daily press briefing where reporters ask questions. She has said Biden's "focus and his energy and his attention" is on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, leaving him with little time for other events.
"It's not a substitute for the more normal press conference to just have the president take a few questions in passing," Mike McCurry, a press secretary for President Bill Clinton, told ABC.
CNN Business speculates Biden might be more willing to go ahead with press conferences now that his $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill has passed.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Can Trump bully Netanyahu into Gaza peace?
Today's Big Question The Israeli leader was ‘strong-armed’ into new peace deal
-
‘The Taliban delivers yet another brutal blow’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Renewables top coal as Trump seeks reversal
Speed Read For the first time, renewable energy sources generated more power than coal, said a new report
-
Japan poised to get first woman prime minister
Speed Read The ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi
-
Israel and Hamas meet on hostages, Trump’s plan
Speed Read Hamas accepted the general terms of Trump’s 20-point plan, including the release of all remaining hostages
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU party
Speed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
UK, 3 Western allies recognize Palestinian state
Speed Read Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the state of Palestine