Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

August 23, 2023

Crash of a Private Plane Reportedly Carrying Wagner Group Mercenary Organization Leader Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin Outside Moscow, Russia

Q. Mr. President, do you have a reaction to the plane crash in Russia?

The President. Yes, but I'm going to be a littleââ

Q. Say again? What theâPrigozhin apparently killed.

The President. You may recall when I was asked about this by you, I said I'd be careful what I drink and what I rode in. And IâI don't know for a fact what happened, but I am not surprised.

President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia

Q. Do you think Putin is behind this, sir?

The President. There's not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind, but I don't know enough to know the answer. I've been working out for the last hour and a half.

Republican Presidential Debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Q. Will you watch the debates later?

The President. I'm going to try to seeâget as much as I can, yes.

Q. What's your expectation for the GOP debate tonight?

The President. I have none. [Laughter] Thank you all.

Q. Do you believe Trump should debate?

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:01 p.m. at the Crossing at Tahoe Valley shopping complex. A reporter referred to former President Donald J. Trump. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the audio was incomplete.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Locations: South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Names: Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Subjects: 2024 Presidential election; California, President's visit; News media, Presidential interviews; Russia, crash of Wagner Groupâlinked plane; Russia, President.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300714.

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