CNN anchor asks just the right question about Hunter Biden's speech to send Biden spox into spiral: 'Ended up being not true'



White House spokesman Ian Sams became defensive on Thursday when CNN anchor Phil Mattingly confronted him over the changing narrative about President Joe Biden's alleged involvement in Hunter Biden's business schemes.

For years, President Biden said that he never discussed business with his son. But that narrative began to change earlier this year after Devon Archer, one of Hunter's longtime business associates, testified to Congress that Biden had conversed with his son's business associates on numerous occasions.

On Wednesday, the goalposts moved farther when Hunter Biden gave an exceptionally specific defense of his father.

"Let me state as clearly as I can: my father was not financially involved in my business," the first son said on Capitol Hill while defying a congressional subpoena.

On "CNN This Morning," Mattingly highlighted the "evolution" of the narrative and pressed Sams about the specificity of the Hunter's statement.

"Was that an intentional point of clarity, do you think?" Mattingly asked.

Sams, however, became immediately defensive.

"I actually dispute the whole premise of that question," he said.

Sams accused Mattingly of using "one of Jim Jordan's favorite little shiny objects— to try to take a semantic thing and make an argument" against the president.

But Mattingly immediately shut down the accusation.

"With respect, I'm not siding with Jim Jordan here. I was in some of the White House press briefings where it was said explicitly the president did not talk to his son about business dealing. That is very clearly not the case and I think the statement from the White House has changed," the CNN anchor responded. "I'm not saying this is like an impeachable offense or some grand indictment, but it is a fact that the president said one thing that ended up being not true."

— (@)

Sams responded by accusing Mattingly of being dishonest.

"I dispute that that's true. That is not true. The truth is that he wasn't in business with his son," Sams said.

"Again, I'm not saying that he was in business with his son," Mattingly fired back.

The last part of the exchange is telling. Mattingly never accused Biden of being involved in Hunter's business schemes; he was simply questioning the White House's changing narrative. Yet Sams twisted himself into a knot — ultimately not addressing the question — to defend President Biden from allegations that Mattingly never raised.

Sams' response thus raises the question: if there is nothing to read into Hunter Biden's specific defense of his father, why dodge Mattingly's question?

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Young black voter leaves CNN host slack-jawed over what he says about Biden's 2024 campaign: 'My jaw literally dropped'



CNN host Phil Mattingly admitted Friday that his jaw "literally dropped" after hearing a young black voter admit that he doesn't know if he will vote for President Joe Biden in 2024.

CNN anchor John King recently traveled to Milwaukee where he gauged the pulse of the black community there. What he discovered, according to him, is a "giant problem" for Biden's re-election hopes.

One Milwaukee voter, Davette Bake, told King that he "love[s] Joe" but graded Biden's presidency a four on a scale of 1 to 10. Another voter, Joanna Brookes, expressed concern that the Democratic Party takes black people for granted.

"Black voters in general, I think, tend to be pretty loyal to the Democratic Party. And sometimes I wonder, just based on how that party has performed thus far for people of color, if we should continue to be," Brookes vented.

And then King spoke with Devonta Johnson, a canvasser for Black Leaders Organizing for Communities.

King asked Johnson, "If you're Joe Biden and you want to be re-elected, he'd have a problem today, right?"

"Yes, he would. He would have a big problem," Johnson admitted.

As a follow-up, King asked Johnson who he will vote for: Biden or Donald Trump. "That's a — that's just a tough one," Johnson responded.

When the report concluded, King put into perspective the significance of what he learned in Milwaukee.

"Just stunning, that young man there, 'I don't know who I'm going to vote for.' A young black man in Milwaukee who is actually part of this activist community," he said. "Then you have the older black women answering the door saying, 'Yeah, people died for my right to vote, but I'm not sure I'm going to vote because I'm so disaffected and disenchanted.'"

That's when Mattingly expressed his disbelief over Johnson's brutal honesty.

"My jaw literally dropped at the end of that piece when he didn't say who he was going to vote for. A 21-year-old young black man in the activist community doesn't know," the CNN anchor said.

King answered, "Because he looks at Washington and says, 'What are they doing that's relevant to my life? Nothing.'"

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Jean-Pierre struggles to explain away Biden's latest embarrassing senior moment as reporters won't have it



White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre floundered under pressure from reporters to explain why President Joe Biden appeared to forget about the death of Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) at an event on Wednesday.

Biden was speaking at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in Washington, D.C., when he repeatedly searched the crowd and asked for Walorski by name.

The Indiana Republican was one of the sponsors of bipartisan legislation to fund the conference. She died along with two of her staffers in a tragic car accident in August. Biden issued a statement at the time mourning her death.

But on Wednesday, the president asked for her at the event.

"I want to thank all of you here ... including bipartisan elected officials like Senator Braun, Senator Booker, Representative ... Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?" Biden said. "I think she was going to be here to help make this a reality."

\u201c"Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?"\n\nRep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) died in a car accident in August\u201d
— Charlie Spiering (@Charlie Spiering) 1664376738

The senior moment from the president went viral on social media and fueled questions about his advanced age and ability to serve as the nation's chief executive.

At a press briefing later, reporters asked Jean-Pierre to explain what happened.

"As you all know, you guys were watching today's event — a very important event on food security. The president was naming the congressional champions on this issue and was acknowledging her incredible work," Jean-Pierre said. She added that Biden is scheduled to welcome Walorski's family to the White House on Friday and said "she was on his mind, she was on top of mind for the president."

\u201cReporter: "What happened when Biden said where is Jackie Walorski?"\n\nJean-Pierre: "The president was acknowledging her incredible work."\n\nReporter: "He said 'Jackie, Jackie, where is Jackie?'"\n\nJean-Pierre: "She was clearly on top of his mind."\u201d
— Greg Price (@Greg Price) 1664388576

But reporters weren't buying the White House spin. "He said, 'Jackie, are you here? Where is Jackie? She must not be here," ABC White House correspondent Cecilia Vega told Jean-Pierre.

"No, I totally understand. I just — I just explained. She was on top of mind," the press secretary replied, reiterating that Biden will visit with Walorski's family later this week.

CNN correspondent Phil Mattingly then asked why, if Walorski's death and the upcoming visit with her family was "top of mind," was the president looking for her?

"I don't think it's all that unusual," Jean-Pierre told the press, repeating what she said before.

\u201cCNN's @Phil_Mattingly: "I'm trying to get my head around the response. [Walorski] was top of mind for [Biden] & her family was...here & that's what he was thinking about? Why was he looking for her?"\n\nKJP: "I think people can understand...when someone is at top of mind."\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

Unsatisfied, reporters did not drop the issue. CBS News Radio's Steven Portnoy said he was "compelled to ask ... one more time ... the question about Congresswoman Walorski."

"I'm not sure why. Why? Why one more time," Jean-Pierre said, hiding her frustration behind a smile.

"Frankly, honestly, I think the memory of the congresswoman and history requires some clarity here," Portnoy said. "Can you explain where the mistake was made? Was the president confused? Was something written in the teleprompter that [he] didn't recognize?"

Jean-Pierre accused him of "jumping to a lot of conclusions." Then she repeated the canned line about Walorski being "on top of mind" for Biden.

\u201c.@CBSNewsRadio's @StevenPortnoy: "Can you explain where the mistake was made? Did the President--was [he] confused? Was there something...in the teleprompter...he didn't recognize? Can you just help us understand?"\n\nKJP: "I mean, you're jumping to a lot of conclusions"\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

The Washington Post's Matt Viser was up next. "I think we all totally get why she's top of mind. You've made that case pretty effectively," he said. "I think the confusing part is why, if she and the family is top of mind, does the president think that she's living and in the room?"

"I don't find that confusing," Jean-Pierre responded. "I think many people can speak to, sometimes when you have someone on top of mind, they're on top of mind. Exactly that."

She rambled on for a bit repeating what she said before. Then, Newsmax correspondent James Rosen quipped, "I have John Lennon top of mind just about every day but I'm not looking around for him anywhere."

"When you sign a bill for John Lennon as president, then we can have this conversation," Jean-Pierre snapped back.

\u201cNewsmax's @JamesRosenTV: "I have John Lennon top of mind just about every day but I'm not looking around for him anywhere."\n\nKJP: "When you sign a bill for John Lennon--Lennon as president, then we can have this conversion."\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

Then all hell broke loose. Several reporters tried to speak at once. One shouted over the others, "These moments of confusion are happening with increasing frequency. Americans are watching this and are having concerns, what do you say to that? This is a legitimate question. We need to have some answers."

Jean-Pierre tried to move on, another reporter asked an unrelated question. But RealClearPolitics reporter Philip Wegmann returned to the Walorski issue by asking if the president would like to take back what he said.

"Just to try one more time, does the president believe that in his reference to the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, who you have said from the podium numerous time that he respects the work she has done and he will be meeting with her family to honor her work, does he believe he handled that reference appropriately? Or is this something that he would like to get back?" Wegmann asked.

"Like to get back what?" Jean-Pierre replied.

"Saying, 'where is Jackie?'" Wegmann clarified.

\u201c.@PhilipWegmann: "Does [Biden] believe that, in his reference to the late Rep. Walorski...he handled that reference appropriately or is this something that he would like to get back?"\n\nKJP: "Get--what? Like, to get back--what?"\n\nWegmann: "I mean, he said, 'where is Jackie?'"\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

The press secretary had enough. "I know this is a question that many of you have had. I have answered it multiple times already in this room and my answer is certainly not going to change," she told reporters.

"All of you may have views on the way I am answering it. But I am answering the question to the way that he saw it and the way that we see it," she continued.

"We have to remember as well that this was an important event today. This was an event about food security, this was an event to take the steps to eradicate hunger by 2030. And that is something the president takes very personally. We wouldn't be doing this event that has not happened since President Nixon, right? That was 50 years ago that an event like this occurred at the White House, so clearly, this is something that is important, so clearly, this is something that he really honors. Both Republican and Democratic congressional champions, when it comes to this issue.

"Again, she was at the top of mind. He is going to be seeing her family in two days to honor her, to honor the work that she has done, and you know, this was a remarkable legacy that she had and we should be honoring that."

Biden blames rising gas prices on 'anti-consumer behavior' from oil companies, industry fires back



President Joe Biden on Wednesday blamed collusion between oil and gas companies for rising prices at the pump and is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate "anti-consumer behavior."

In a letter to FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan, Biden claimed there is "mounting evidence of anti-consumer behavior by oil and gas companies." His letter comes as gas prices are at a seven-year high, on average more than a dollar more expensive than they were last year.

"The bottom line is this: gasoline prices at the pump remain high, even though oil and gas companies' costs are declining," Biden wrote. "The Federal Trade Commission has authority to consider whether illegal conduct is costing families at the pump. I believe you should do so."

The president observed that gasoline prices rose by 3% last month while the price of unfinished gasoline declined by 5% in the same period.

"This unexplained large gap between the price of unfinished gasoline and the average price at the pump is well above the pre-pandemic average," Biden wrote.

He added that the "two largest oil and gas companies in the United States" — Exxon and Chevron, according to CNBC — are projected to nearly double their net income compared to 2019, before the pandemic. "They have announced plans to engage in billions of dollars of stock buybacks and dividends this year or next," Biden wrote.

Pres. Biden, saying there is \u201cmounting evidence of anti-consumer behavior by oil and gas companies,\u201d in letter to the FTC: \u201cThe Federal Trade Commission has authority to consider whether illegal conduct is costing families at the pump. I believe you should do so immediately.\u201dpic.twitter.com/0SCa26hiqG

— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) 1637162752

"I do not accept hard-working Americans paying more for gas because of anti-competitive or otherwise potentially illegal conduct," Biden declared.

"I therefore ask that the Commission further examine what is happening with oil and gas markets, and that you bring all of the Commission's tools to bear if you uncover any wrongdoing."

According to an October report from the American Automobile Association, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas stood at $3.22, the most expensive it has been since 2014. Prices have continued to rise, reaching an average of $3.41 per gallon on Nov. 8, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The agency reported that fuel taxes account for about 15% of the price average consumers nationwide pay per gallon.

The president's letter did not provide evidence of illegal activity by oil and gas companies.

Economists say the real cause of rising gas prices is factors entirely outside of any president's control — market supply and demand.

As coronavirus lockdowns were lifted and Americans have begun traveling more frequently, demand for gas went up. In the spring of 2020, after "15 days to slow the spread," the number of vehicle miles measured by the Federal Highway Administration plunged from 272 billion miles traveled in December 2019 to 166 billion miles in April. By summer 2021, highway traffic returned to its pre-pandemic normal.

At the same time, supply chain disruptions and energy market disruptions overseas have constrained the supply of gas, Business Insider reported.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said in September that Hurricane Ida disrupted oil drilling and refining in the Gulf of Mexico in late August. Though oil rigs and refineries have since come back online, the EIA said that crude oil stored at Cushing, Oklahoma, one of the main crude depots in the U.S., was down 40% since the beginning of this year. The latest report from EIA states that U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Higher demand and restricted supply result in higher prices.

Trouble in international markets is also impacting gas prices. OPEC and other major oil-exporting countries have resisted calls from the U.S. and other counties to boost the supply of oil. In August, Biden followed former President Donald Trump's example and called on OPEC to increase oil production, but the cartel only agreed to increase production by 400,000 barrels per day in December, telling Biden that if he wants more oil produced, the U.S. should increase its own oil production.

Oil producers in the United States are saying the same thing. Occidental Petroleum CEO Vicki Hollub said Tuesday the Biden administration should ask domestic shale producers to increase production and crude supplies, rather than rely on Saudi Arabia and OPEC.

"If I were gonna make a call, it wouldn't be long distance, it would be a local call," Hollub told CNBC.

"And I think that we could do it cheaply in the United States, as other countries can do," she added.

"I think first you, you stay home, you ask your friends, and you ask your neighbors to do it. And then if we can't do it, you call some other countries."

After Biden accused oil and gas companies of illegally colluding to drive gas prices up, the American Petroleum Institute said his letter to the FTC is a "distraction from the fundamental market shift" in the energy market because of the pandemic. The API added that "ill-advised government decisions" are "exacerbating this challenging situation."

"Rather than launching investigations on markets that are regulated and closely monitored on a daily basis or pleading with OPEC to increase supply, we should be encouraging the safe and responsible development of American-made oil and natural gas," Frank Macchiarola, API's senior vice president of policy, economics, and regulatory affairs, said in a statement.