Joe Biden during the annual White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday lectured members of the media that a free press won’t exist much longer unless they get behind his campaign.
Biden told the press that “the most urgent question of our time is whether democracy is still the sacred cause of America. That is the question the American people must answer this year and you, the free press, play a critical role in making sure the American people have the information they need to make an informed decision.”
Biden calls on journalists to rise up against Trump in the 2024 election:
“On the third anniversary of January 6, I went to Valley Forge and I said the most urgent question of our time is whether democracy is still — is still the sacred cause of America. That is the question… pic.twitter.com/KShsLCvuwI
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 28, 2024
Biden also called on the media to combat disinformation, but not before doubling down on the dishonest talking point about Trump’s “bloodbath” remarks relating to the automobile industry to argue that the former president is “attacking democracy.”
“The defeated former President has made no secret of his attack on our democracy. He said he wants to be a dictator on day one and so much more. He tells supporters he is the revenge and retribution. When in God’s name ever heard of another president say something like that? And he promised a bloodbath when he loses again,” Biden claimed.
Biden also insisted that he’s not asking the media to take sides — just before suggesting that the media take his side.
“We have to take this seriously. Eight years ago, it could have been written off as just Trump talk but no longer, not after January 6. I’m sincerely not asking you to take sides, but asking a rise up to the seriousness of the moment,” Biden asserted.
“Move past the horse race numbers and the gotcha moments, and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalize our politics and focusing on what’s actually at stake,” he continued, adding “I think in your hearts, you know what’s at stake.”
Biden again calls on journalists to defend democracy (i.e. crush Republicans):
“Move past the horse race numbers and the gotcha moments, and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalize our politics and focusing on what’s actually at stake. I… pic.twitter.com/bdGSSCTgUr
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 28, 2024
“The stakes couldn’t be higher every single one of us has roles to play — a serious role, to play in making sure democracy endures, American democracy. I have my role, but with all due respect, so do you,” he added.
“In the age of disinformation, credible information that people can trust is more important than ever and that makes you, and I mean this with the bottom of my heart, makes you more important than ever. So tonight, I’d like to make a toast — to a free press, to an informed citizenry, to an American where freedom and democracy endure. God bless America,” Biden concluded.
Many on social media called out Biden’s naked hypocrisy of attempting to rally members of the media behind him while lecturing about a free press.
A “free press” but I’m gonna tell you what to write about and what not to.
— Chrissy (@Chrissys067) April 28, 2024
So he’s saying don’t write anything about me, just go after Trump.
— linda thompson (@lthomps54) April 28, 2024
It’s a campaign rally. These are his constituents.
— Janice (@jannyfayray) April 28, 2024
They’re not even trying to hide their collusion. And people wonder why the media has lost so much trust with the public…
— beefy.atlas (@AtlasBeefy) April 28, 2024
The only disinformation I see, is the lies being told by Biden.
— Peter Van Dam (@PeterVanDam18) April 28, 2024
Of course, CNN gushed all evening over Biden’s speech, claiming he embodies “decency.”
CNN absolutely loved Biden’s speech demanding journalists side with him. to save democracy and both Colin Jost’s Trump-filled monologue and lecture about how Biden embodies “decency” #WHCD pic.twitter.com/inTetVKmhz
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 28, 2024
Watch Biden’s full WHCD remarks:
