President Joe Biden recently sat down for a rare, one-on-one television interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett in Wisconsin, where he discussed his plans to build up manufacturing and tech jobs in the Midwest. This interview came at a time when Biden is trailing former President Donald Trump in multiple national and swing-state polls, and when his support for Israel has caused divisions within the Democratic party. Biden emphasized that polling data suggesting he is trailing Trump on the economy is incorrect, pointing to people’s personal satisfaction with their own situations despite negative perceptions of the nation’s overall state. He acknowledged the impact of inflation on daily expenses, attributing it to corporate greed.
In response to questions about why people should trust his economic approach over Trump’s, Biden highlighted his successful track record of job creation, citing over 15 million jobs created during his administration. He contrasted his economic vision with Trump’s failed plan to bring tech manufacturing jobs to the Midwest through Foxconn, a Taiwanese company that ultimately abandoned its site in Racine, Wisconsin. Biden announced a new plan by Microsoft to build a data hub in the area to train workers in artificial intelligence. While the job creation figures are accurate, they do not account for the temporary losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Biden also addressed concerns about Trump’s willingness to accept election results if he believes they are not honest. Biden expressed doubt that Trump would concede, warning of potential retribution against his opponents if reelected. He emphasized the importance of democratic values and the need to safeguard democracy against threats posed by Trump’s statements. Biden mentioned that world leaders are supportive of him, with many acknowledging the impact of his presidency on global democracy.
In response to questions about protests of his policy towards Israel and Palestine, Biden acknowledged the concerns of young Americans and the message being conveyed by protesters. He condemned hate speech and threats against Jewish students, while emphasizing the right to free speech and protest. Biden likened Israel’s actions in Gaza to mistakes made by the US in the aftermath of 9/11, highlighting the need for a more strategic approach. He also addressed the use of US-supplied weapons by Israel in Gaza, expressing concern over civilian casualties and stating his opposition to operations in densely populated areas.
Biden also touched on the issue of US military support for Israel, emphasizing the need to protect Israel’s security while avoiding civilian casualties in Gaza. He mentioned delaying a shipment of bombs and advising against operations in certain areas. Biden reiterated his commitment to assisting Israel in defending itself against external threats, while advocating for a more restrained approach in the conflict. The interview provided insights into Biden’s perspective on key economic, foreign policy, and domestic issues, highlighting his efforts to address complex challenges facing the nation.
