Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

June 28, 2023

Senator Thomas H. Tuberville

Q. Senator Tuberville is not budging on Pentagon promotions. Senator Tuberville is not budging on Pentagon promotions.

Q. Mr. President, was Prigozhinâwas Prigozhin looking to capture military leaders?

The President. He's not budging on it, as I understand, from my colleagues. It's totally inappropriate. It's outrageous.

Q. But he says the Defense Department should not be paying for abortion travel. Your response?

The President. He doesn't know what he's talking about.

Wagner Group Mercenary Organization Leader Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin of Russia

Q. Was Prigozhin looking to capture military leaders?

The President. That remains to be seen.

Q. [Inaudible]âpolicy announcement?

Q. President Bidenâ[inaudible]âescalating in Ukraine? Why not engage with Russia in meaningful talks to try to deescalate the whole situation in Ukraine? You're sending Fâ16s, sir.

President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia

Q. Mr. President, has Putin been weakened by what happened in Russia?

The President. Absolutely.

Q. Mr. President, why no new policy announcement?

President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia

Q. To what extent has Vladimir Putin been weakened by recent events?

The President. It's hard to tell, but he's clearly losing the war in Iraq [Ukraine; White House correction]. He's losing the war at home. And he has become a bit of a pariah around the world. And it's not just NATO; it's not just the European Union. It's Japan. It'sâyou know, it's 40 nations.

Q. Have you heard fromâ[inaudible]?

R. Hunter Biden

Q. President Biden, how involvedâPresident Biden, how involved were you in your son's "Chinese shakedown" text message? Were you sitting there?

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

Q. Were you involved? Were you involved?

The President. No, I wasn't. And I don't knowââ

Q. Do you think Vladimir Putin isââ

Q. Were you?

The President. No!

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia

Q. Do you think Vladimir Putin is weaker today than he was before all those events?

The President. I know he wasâis.

Q. Will you give Congress your bank records, President Biden? Will you give Congressââ

National Economy/Inflation

Q. Is the worst of the inflation over?

The President. Iâlet me put it this way: I've been hearing every month there's going to be a recession next month. The consensus is, two-thirds of the economists and the major leaders in the banks think we're not going to have a recession. I don't think we will either.

But I tell you one thing: In addition to the prices thatâgoing toâwhat a recession constitutesâwe're bringing down prices across the board for people. That's what I'm going to be talking about today.

Q. Will you give Congress your bank records?

The President's Economic Policies

Q. A week ago, sir, you said you didn't know "what the hell Bidenomics is." Sir, can you tell us today what it is?

The President. Sure I didn't, because the first time I heard it used was by you guys in the press.

Q. On Russia, sirâon Russia, sirââ

Sweden/North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Q. Any movement on Sweden's accession in NATO?

The President. I'd rather not speak toâ[inaudible]âright now.

The President's Economic Policies

Q. Why no new policy announcement with the branding? Why no new policy announcements with the branding?

The President. Whatââ

Q. With the Bidenomics branding.

The President. Well, look, you guys branded it. I didn't. That'sâI never called it "Bidenomics." And so I was asked the question: Why did Iââ

Q. Your economic team is calling it "Bidenomics."

The President. No, wait. Let's get it straight. The first time it was used was in the Wall Street Journal. Okay? I don't go around beating my chest, "Bidenomics." So the press started calling it "Bidenomics."

Q. Do you not like it, sir?

The President. Iâno, I like it. It's fine. Yes, it's fine, because it is my policy.

Q. What do you say to the Americans who are worried, sir?

Q. What is your messageââ

NOTE: The President spoke at 9:29 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White House prior to boarding Marine One.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich; Tuberville, Thomas H.

Subjects: Economic improvement; Inflation; Military promotions, Senate confirmation process; News media, Presidential interviews; North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Russia, conflict in Ukraine; Russia, President; Russia, Wagner Group, attempted armed rebellion; Ukraine, Russian invasion and airstrikes.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300579.