President Biden was interrupted during a press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, and made a dramatic exit with jazz music playing in the background.
While discussing a conversation he had with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Biden was cut off mid-sentence by his press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, who ended the press conference. Soft piano music then began to play as Biden thanked the audience and put down the microphone.
Despite attempts to field another question from reporters, Biden eventually walked off the stage. The incident was captured on video and quickly circulated on the internet.
This interruption comes as Biden faces scrutiny over his age and off-script comments that have been criticized as rambling. However, prior to the incident, Biden had already signaled that he was ready to conclude the press conference.
Biden was in Hanoi to discuss economic partnerships and trade with Vietnamese leaders. He had previously attended the G20 summit in India and will stop in Alaska on his way back to Washington to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
A reporter from Fox News acknowledged that Biden has been maintaining a busy schedule, potentially contributing to his apparent fatigue during the press conference.
The White House responded to the incident by posting a clip of the Fox News correspondent’s comment on social media, suggesting that Biden’s exhaustion was due to his hard work and lack of sleep.
