Biden Snaps “Don’t Make Things Up!” When Asked About Recession; KJP Says “We Don’t See a Recession Right Now”; 44% of Economists Predict One

On 6/21/2022, Biden snapped “don’t make things up!” at a reporter who asked about economists predicting a recession, then added “now you’re sounding like a Republican politician — I’m joking, that was a joke.” KJP insisted “we don’t see a recession right now” and described the economy as in “a moment of transition” toward “stable and steady growth.” A Wall Street Journal poll of 53 economists put the odds of recession within a year at 44%. Biden refused to meet with oil CEOs himself, delegating the meeting to Energy Secretary Granholm.

”Don’t Make Things Up!”

A reporter asked Biden about economists predicting a recession. “The majority of them aren’t saying that. Come on, don’t make things up, okay?” Biden snapped. “Now you’re sounding like a Republican politician. I’m joking, that was a joke.”

The Wall Street Journal had just published a survey of 53 leading economists putting recession odds at 44% within a year. A growing number of analysts had been raising alarms about a significant slowdown.

”We Don’t See a Recession”

KJP delivered the White House line. “Right now, we don’t see a recession right now. That is not — we’re not in a recession right now,” KJP said. “Right now, we’re in a transition where we will go into a place of stable and steady growth.”

When pressed on whether the administration was doing anything to prevent a recession, KJP cited the American Rescue Plan and “historical gains” in the economy. “Household balance sheets remain strong,” she said.

Won’t Meet Oil CEOs

Biden confirmed he would not personally meet with oil company executives despite surging gas prices. “My team’s going to do that,” Biden said when asked why he wouldn’t sit down with them.

“You did that with retailers and logistics companies and consumer companies,” a reporter noted.

“Because I haven’t already done — how can they come more?” Biden said, trailing off.

KJP confirmed Energy Secretary Granholm would meet with seven oil CEOs on Thursday. “The President is not ruling out meeting with the seven CEOs,” KJP initially said — before correcting herself: “The President spoke to this himself yesterday, which is he’s not going to be meeting with the CEOs.”

Gas Tax Holiday: “Gimmick” Turned Policy

A reporter noted that Obama had called a federal gas tax holiday “a gimmick” and bipartisan congressional leaders had dismissed it for years. “Why is it suddenly on the table for this President?” the reporter asked.

“The President has always said all options are on the table,” KJP said.

Biden Stumbles on Words

Biden had multiple verbal difficulties during the day. He stumbled reading “Chairman of the Joint Chiefs” from his notes, attempted it twice, then tried “using syllables.” He also trailed off mid-sentence multiple times and mangled a phrase about renewable energy.

China and India Buying Russian Oil

China imported a record amount of Russian oil while India purchased supplies the Europeans were boycotting. “This is just a piece of China’s willingness to continue to go along with Russia — another example of growing collaboration,” a national security official said. But China “hasn’t been a participant in the sanctions regime.”

On India, the official acknowledged the tension. “India is a very key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. And there’s many ways that partnership represents—” the official said, leaving the contradiction unresolved.

”Fundamental Turn Toward Renewable Energy”

Biden framed the energy crisis as an opportunity. “We have a chance here to make the fundamental turn toward renewable energy, electric vehicles — and not just electric vehicles, but across the board,” Biden said.

He said his team would meet with oil CEOs to demand an explanation. “I have to give an explanation on how they justify making $35 billion in the first quarter,” Biden said.

Key Takeaways

Biden snapped “don’t make things up!” at a reporter asking about recession predictions; a WSJ poll of 53 economists put recession odds at 44%.
KJP said “we don’t see a recession right now” and described the economy as in “transition” toward “stable and steady growth.”
Biden refused to personally meet with oil CEOs despite record gas prices, delegating to Granholm.
A federal gas tax holiday — previously dismissed as a “gimmick” by Obama — was suddenly “on the table.”
China imported record Russian oil and India bought European boycotted supplies; the administration had no effective response to either.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

The majority aren’t saying that. Don’t make things up! Now you’re sounding like a Republican politician. I’m joking.
We don’t see a recession right now. We’re in a transition toward stable and steady growth.
Are you planning to sit down with oil CEOs? No. Why? Because my team’s going to do that.
44% chance the US is in a recession within the next year according to 53 economists.
We have a chance to make the fundamental turn toward renewable energy and electric vehicles.
China’s willingness to go along with Russia — another example of growing collaboration.

Full transcript: 1380 words transcribed via Whisper AI.