Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

April 25, 2024

The President's Meeting With Released U.S. Hostage Abigail Mor Edan

Q. Mr. President, how was your meeting with Abigail? Can you talk about your meeting with Abigail a little bit?

No, I'mâwe're told that you met with Abigail, the littleâthe little girl that was held hostage.

The President. I'm sorry, I can't hear youâ[inaudible].

Q. Abigail. You met with Abigail the other day.

The President. Yes.

Q. The littleâthe little girl. How did that go?

The President. That went really well. Her dad sent meâherâexcuse meâher family sent me a note saying she was riding home, and she said, "You know, I love Joe Biden."

Q. We're told that she did a lot of playing.

The President. She did.

Q. And had you seenâcan you discuss that a little bit. Was she outside, inside? She was playing a lot?

The President. Oh, she was. We had her on the swings. She was swinging around in the Oval Office. She was really good.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

U.S. Citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin Held Hostage by Hamas in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. Have you seen the video of the hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin with the missing arm? Have you seen that video of that hostage? Any reaction?

The President. I haven't, but I know about it. I haven't physically seen it.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

Q. President Bidenââ

Q. Have you verified that it's real, Mr. President?

Q. One more question, Mr. President?

Q. President Biden, do you have a message for campus protesters?

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:16 a.m. on the South Lawn of the White House prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to Abigail Mor Edan, an Israeli-American citizen who was abducted during the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, and released on November 26, 2023. A reporter referred to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-

American citizen who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im during the October 7 Hamas attacks.

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

Names: Edan, Abigail Mor.

Subjects: Gaza, hostages held by Hamas; News media, Presidential interviews.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400337.