President Biden – who has been criticized for not yet holding a solo press conference – will appear for a sit-down interview this week to sell his $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus bill to the American public. ABC News announced Sunday.
Biden will be interviewed by anchor George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday as President and Vice President Kamala Harris and their husbands cross the country on the “Help is Here” tour to promote the incentive plan that will send $ 1,400 checks to eligible Americans.
The president has asked some questions from reporters when he was making announcements or traveling since he entered the White House on Jan. 20, but like his predecessors, he has yet to answer reporters’ questions at a formal press conference.
Biden signed the incentive plan at a ceremony in the Rose Garden last Thursday and made comments, but did not answer press inquiries.
And officials from the Biden administration, other than those involved in the coronavirus pandemic, were absent from the news shows on Sunday to help build public support for the emergency relief bill.
Finance Minister Janet Yellen appeared on ABC News’ “This Week,” and First Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was interviewed on MSNBC.
But missing were White House press secretary Jen Psaki and other members of the Biden communications team, Kate Bedingfield and Symone Sanders, and even Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
First Lady Jill Biden will begin the tour with a visit to a New Jersey school on Monday, and the president will travel to Delaware County, outside of Philadelphia, on Tuesday.
He’s also going to Atlanta on Friday.
Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, will travel to Nevada and Colorado.
When asked about when Biden could hold a solo press, White House press secretary Jen Psaki claimed there are too many pressing issues at the moment.
He has answered questions. I believe that count is nearly 40 times. And I would say his focus, again, is on getting recovery and relief for the American people and he looks forward to continuing to engage with you and members of the other members of the media who are not here today. and we look forward to letting you know as soon as the press conference is scheduled, ”said Psaki earlier this month.