Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted President Biden for “blaming other people” for the problems his administration is facing and for the president’s sluggish approval rating.
“There’s a fella by the name of Brandon that people talk about that we have to contend with,” DeSantis said during a recent event, joking about a nickname some on the right have given the president as a way to mock him. “And I see this news report where Biden is so frustrated that his approval ratings are in the toilet.”
A recent poll found that 42 percent of respondents approve of what job Biden is doing as president. DeSantis suggested Biden is “lashing out at his staff” and “blaming other people.”
“He’s blaming the media,” the governor continued. “Even though he gets the most sycophantic media coverage that any president has ever gotten. Compare how they treated Trump to how they treat Biden. It’s night and day.”
Apparently, DeSantis was referencing a recent NBC News report that outlined how Biden is growing frustrated with the way the public look at his administration and is pressing aides for a new strategy. President Biden has also complained to White House staff about efforts to either “walk back” or “clean up” statements he makes candidly or off the cuff while speaking in public.
The president has rarely criticized the media writ large publicly and directly. He applauded the work of journalists during remarks at the White House correspondents’ dinner this spring.
However, Biden, on occasion sparred with Fox News reporters, once calling White House correspondent Peter Doocy a “stupid son of a bitch” in a remark that was caught on a hot microphone and circulated widely.
To many political observers, DeSantis and former President Trump are leading candidates for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. DeSantis has himself complained about media coverage of his policies and politics.
