Biden awkwardly scolds reporters after being asked about age: ‘I know more world leaders’
President Joe Biden snapped at several reporters Sunday when asked about his age during a White House event to celebrate the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act.
“My being the oldest president, I know more world leaders than any one of you ever met in your whole goddamn life,” Biden, 82, told the press.
It’s not the first time he’s taken a jab at journalists. In November, Biden was asked by a reporter if he would be able to reach a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas before his time in office is over.
“Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by a camera behind you?” Biden asked the reporter.
On Sunday, Biden was also asked about his previous comments about President-elect Donald Trump being a threat to democracy.
“I think what he did was a genuine threat to democracy,” Biden said.
Biden’s comments came as he signed the Social Security Fairness Act, which is intended to boost the Social Security benefits of almost three million public workers.
The legislation, which was supported by both Democrats and Republicans, repealed two provisions that limited the benefits of some Social Security recipients who also receive pension income.
The bipartisan law means that teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public-sector workers who also receive pension income will see a rise in their social security benefits.
The law eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.
The WEP limits social security benefits for those who receive a pension or disability from employment for which social security payroll taxes weren’t withheld. According to CNBC, about two million beneficiaries were affected as of December 2023.
The GPO reduces the benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who get income from their own government pensions, affecting nearly 750,000 beneficiaries as of December 2023.
“By signing this bill, we’re extending Social Security benefits for millions of teachers, nurses, and other public employees and their spouses and survivors,” Biden said. “That means an estimated average of $360 per month increase.”
