On Thursday, reporters asked President Joe Biden about his family’s history in China, and he exploded at them.
A reporter questioned Biden if his son’s business ties with the communist nation affected his contacts with China when he finally addressed the public about Chinese surveillance balloons circling the country’s skies.
Biden laughed and said, “Give me a break, man.”
During their exchange, NBC’s Peter Alexander questioned him on the current backlash suggesting he overreacted to the balloon.
Biden told Alexander, “You can come to my office and ask a question where we have more pleasant folks.”
After Biden left the stage, a hot mic picked up numerous reporters who were unsatisfied with the president’s replies and who said that he never provides enough details to the public.
One reporter was overheard remarking, “It does not enhance our authority to get information out of the president.”
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her doubt that the Chinese surveillance balloon will alter ties between the two countries earlier this week.
As Harris put it, “competition, but not conflict or confrontation” is what the White House is after.
The events of the past two weeks “are, we feel, extremely consistent with our stated strategy,” Harris added.
Biden’s lack of concern over the Chinese surveillance balloon above the United States is indicative of his reluctance to rock the diplomatic boat with Beijing.