Biden White House Avoids Oval Office For Press Events In Part Because It Has No Teleprompter

Since the Biden presidency, the backdrop of Oval Office has never been used by the White House for public events. According to reports, his aides would prefer that he not change the script.

Politico published a Thursday report on the potential 2024 “rematch” between President Trump and Vice President Biden. Biden has yet to make an official announcement. However, he did make some unrelated comments about his plans to run for president again. White House officials, however, are “all systems go” with advisers, aides, and “taking initial steps” in order to mount a bid, despite continued health concerns and poor polling.

Politico reported that some Democrats and allies worry about Biden’s ability to deal with the demands of another campaign. Biden still struggles to walk due to a fracture in his foot, which he broke while playing with his dog in Nov 2020. Because the Oval Office isn’t permanently equipped to a Teleprompter, it has been abandoned by the White House as a venue for press events.

According to the report, Biden’s aides preferred the fake White House stage located in the Old Executive Office Building as a place for events. They sacrificed some historical background for a sterile area with a teleprompter screen, and an otherwise clean room.

The White House is cautious when it comes to President Biden’s access the press.

He has conducted only one interview so far for a news agency, 2022.

According to data from Towson University’s White House Transition Project (which tracks the first year of Biden’s office), Biden did only 22 formal sit-downs. This is compared to Donald Trump’s total 92 and Barack Obama’s total 156.

Media have noted Biden’s inability sit down for interviews. Politico published a piece last year entitled “Why Biden isn’t doing interviews”. According to the article, Biden did more formal interviews while he was vice president than he did during his current job.

“Biden’s team quickly pointed out that Biden frequently answers reporters’ questions after attending events. Politico reported that in October, the president’s close aides were quicker to point out that Washington’s media corps doesn’t care about access to press. “But, the absence of interviews is a reflection on the bunker mentality of the White House with the media — particularly the long back-and-forths during which reporters can follow-up, push, and prod.”

The New York Times highlighted Biden’s November “low-key media strategy” in November. This strategy had fueled “concern” among his allies.

“He has never sat down to interview with The Associated Press and The New York Times. The Times noted that even venues like “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” were not visited. Biden did however meet David Brooks, a Times columnist.

The Associated Press also criticised Biden earlier this year for his “shieking away” from interviews and news conferences in his first year of office.