Staff Reports
The White House press corps, known for its incessant complaints, has suddenly decided it cares about access to President Joe Biden. After a presidency marked by radio silence and holiday distractions, the same reporters who showed little concern for Biden’s long absences are now clutching their microphones in despair, demanding more face time with the leader of the free world. It’s a classic case of “Where were you when it mattered?”
For years, the public has watched as Biden’s commitment to transparency has rivaled that of a magician’s disappearing act. Between awkwardly worded teleprompter addresses and his penchant for taking extended vacations, one has to wonder if he truly believes he’s got this whole leadership gig on autopilot. Journalists have been largely mute about his almost comical absence from the public sphere, yet now they’re suddenly alarmed about getting “exclusive” access, as if the president might reveal the Kennedy assassination secrets or something equally riveting.
Column's up: After eight years of fake news and cover-ups, the White House Correspondents Association and its members have lost the right to pose as guardians of free speech. https://t.co/0WSgU7uBQE
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) February 27, 2025
It’s amusing how these reporters overlooked Biden hiding from the cameras during critical moments, choosing instead to sound the alarm bells only now that the end of his term approaches and their access is dwindling. It raises an eyebrow as to whether they’re genuinely concerned about the president’s accessibility or merely worried about losing their golden ticket to scoop any potential gaffes. After all, watching Biden stumble through questions is practically their bread and butter.
What adds a layer of irony to this tale is how these same members of the press were outright silent during the many weekends Biden spent at his Delaware beach house. Were they too busy enjoying their own extended vacations to care? Or perhaps they suspected that confronting Biden’s absence might have led to a “Come on, man!” moment that didn’t play well with their narrative. Their sudden call for increased transparency after years of passivity is baffling at best and hypocritical at worst.
In the grand theater of American politics, this is just another act where the audience realizes the show has actually been on intermission for a long time. Biden seems to have mastered the art of being president without really being present, while reporters now lament the lack of a front-row seat. Yet, like any good comedy routine, it’s all about timing—something the press corps is finally deciding to pursue, albeit a tad too late. The hope for more presidential visibility from this administration may be as hollow as Biden’s public schedule, but at least it makes for good entertainment.
