President Joe Biden will duck out on the traditional pre-Super Bowl interview for the second year in a row, several outlets reported on Saturday.
Entertainment site Variety reported that, after negotiations with the White House regarding the traditional pre-game sit-down interview, CBS News confirmed that President Biden would not be taking part ahead of 2024’s Super Bowl LVIII on February 11.
Variety’s Brian Steinberg had the scoop on Saturday, sharing his report in an X post: “President Biden has declined to take part in a pre-game Super Bowl interview, CBS News confirms, marking the second consecutive year has has chosen to do — even though the conversation might reach millions in an election year …”
Scoop: President Biden has declined to take part in a pre-game Super Bowl interview, CBS News confirms, marking the second consecutive year has has chosen to do — even though the conversation might reach millions in an election year….https://t.co/S0Db2e58ha
— Brian Steinberg (@bristei) February 3, 2024
The traditional spot was expected to include a brief interview of about 15 minutes, less than one-third of which would air during CBS’ pre-game coverage.
White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt said simply, “We hope viewers enjoy watching what they tuned in for — the game.”
Some argued that they did not like their pre-game interrupted with politics and this was a positive change, but as critics quickly pointed out, the optics of Biden not doing such a visible interview — which will likely reach millions of voters in an election year — are not stellar.
“The country’s on fire! Everyone, down to the basement!” Tammy Bruce posted.
The country's on fire! Everyone, down to the basement! "White House turns down CBS interview request for a Super Bowl interview with President Biden" https://t.co/mDD6T0v5FH
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) February 3, 2024
“Biden hasn’t done a serious news interview since mid-October on ’60 Minutes,'” Fox News media reporter Joseph Wulfsohn noted. “In the meantime, he’s given interviews to others like Conan O’Brien and Ryan Seacrest.”
Biden hasn’t done a serious news interview since mid-October on “60 Minutes.”
In the meantime, he’s given interviews to others like Conan O’Brien and Ryan Seacrest. https://t.co/pELj3mp0aG
— Joseph A. Wulfsohn (@JosephWulfsohn) February 3, 2024
“This is an admission by his handlers that Joe Biden can’t sit down for a softball interview for a football game,” Steve Guest added.
This is an admission by his handlers that
Joe Biden can’t sit down for a softball interview for a football game. https://t.co/KHANtdjjXU— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 3, 2024
“Not talking to CBS, and reaching a larger audience of persuadable voters than he’ll get for State of the Union, is political malpractice in an election year,” The Washington Post’s James Hohmann said. “Turning down many millions in earned media.”
Biden Refuses Super Bowl Interview for Second Year.
Not talking to CBS, and reaching a larger audience of persuadable voters than he’ll get for State of the Union, is political malpractice in an election year.
Turning down many millions in earned media. https://t.co/pcJdItZGzi
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) February 3, 2024
