President Biden’s Interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart: Israel-Hamas War, Border Crisis, and Walking Back ‘Illegal’ Description
President Biden recently sat down for an interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, covering a range of topics including the Israel-Hamas war, the crisis at the southern border, and a controversial word choice. This marks Capehart’s second interview with Biden during his presidency, a rare opportunity for any journalist. Their first interview took place in October 2022.
During the interview, Capehart asked Biden about his use of the word “illegal” to describe the alleged killer of Laken Riley during his State of the Union speech. Biden admitted that he should have used the word “undocumented” instead. He emphasized that he would not treat any individuals with disrespect and acknowledged that immigrants have played a significant role in building the country’s economy. Biden expressed his commitment to controlling the border while maintaining respect for all people.
Biden also addressed his “come-to Jesus” comments directed towards Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after his State of the Union address. The president emphasized Netanyahu’s right to defend Israel and pursue Hamas but urged him to consider the innocent lives lost as a result of these actions. Biden expressed concern that Netanyahu’s approach may be hurting Israel’s image globally and called for a ceasefire.
The interview with Capehart is significant because President Biden rarely grants challenging interviews with hard-hitting questions. Throughout this year, he has participated in interviews with various individuals, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Seth Meyers, Evan Osnos, and Dede McGuire. However, he skipped the traditional pre-Super Bowl interview with CBS last month, breaking a long-standing tradition. The president has been criticized for holding fewer interviews and press conferences than his predecessors, although the White House maintains that he regularly interacts with reporters in informal settings.
The last formal news interview Biden had with a journalist was in October with CBS correspondent Scott Pelley. While “60 Minutes” is known for its serious news coverage, the interview with Biden focused on less challenging topics. Former President Trump criticized the interview, stating that CBS News “led him along like a lost child.”
It is worth noting that Biden has faced fewer hard-hitting questions in recent interviews. In February 2023, he was grilled by PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff and ABC’s David Muir about his classified documents scandal. However, subsequent interviews have been more friendly in nature, with interviewers avoiding topics such as the legal troubles faced by his son Hunter Biden.
Overall, President Biden’s interview with Jonathan Capehart provided insights into his perspectives on the Israel-Hamas war, the border crisis, and his choice of words. While some have criticized him for his use of the term “illegal,” Biden acknowledged his mistake and emphasized the importance of respectful treatment towards all individuals. This interview offers a glimpse into the president’s stance on key issues and his approach to engaging with the media.
