Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

September 3, 2023

Stranded Attendees at the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, Nevada

Q. Mr. President, have you heard the Burning Man news? Any reaction to that?

The President. Yes. We're in touch with the local people. We're paying attention. We ought to be getting everybody out of there. There was one death; I don't know what the reason for the death was. Okay?

The President's Travel to India and Vietnam

Q. Whatâare you looking forward to your trip next week?

The President. Yes, I am. I'mââ

Q. What are you hoping to achieve in India and Vietnam?

[*At this point, the President gestured toward fellow churchgoers and walked closer to where reporters were standing*.]

The President. I'm holding people up here. I'm holding people up.

By the way, the reason I'm here today just for 1 dayâI know youâ[*inaudible*]âI'm on vacation; I'm not. I have no home to go to. The Secret Service has torn my house up, in a good way, to make it secure. So I have no place to go when I come to Delaware except here right now. I'm only here for 1 day.

The President's Homes in Delaware

Q. Are you homeless? Is that what you're telling us?

The President. No, I'm not homeless. I just have one home; I have a beautiful home. [Laughter] But I'm down here for the day because I can't go "home" home.

The President's Travel to India and Vietnam

Q. What do you want to achieve in Vietnam and India?

The President. I want toâa little more coordination. I think they both want much closer relations with the United States, and that could be very helpful.

[*Several reporters spoke at once*.]

Q. Have you heard that Zelenskyy has replaced his Defense Minister?

The President. Pardon me?

Ukraine

Q. Have you heard that Zelenskyy has replaced his Defense Minister?

The President. Yes.

Q. Do you have any comment?

The President. Not publicly.

President Xi Jinping of China

Q. Are you disappointed that President Xi is not going to the Gâ20â[inaudible]?

The President. I am disappointed, but I'm going to get to see him. Thank you.

Q. Thank you, sir.

NOTE: The President spoke at 5:25 p.m. outside St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church. A reporter referred to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov of Ukraine. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 4.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Locations: Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Names: Xi Jinping.

Subjects: China, President; Delaware, President's visit; India, relations with U.S.; Nevada, Burning Man festival in Black Rock City; News media, Presidential interviews; Secret Service, U.S.; Vietnam, relations with U.S.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300745.