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.
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Why scientists are attempting nuclear fusionThe Explainer Harnessing the reaction that powers the stars could offer a potentially unlimited source of carbon-free energy, and the race is hotting up
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
