President Joe Biden came under fire Friday for his bizarre response to a question about his political rival's historic criminal conviction following comments from the White House, flashing what some called an “evil” smile.
President Biden, 81, said Friday after the former President Donald Trump was found guilty at his criminal trial in New York “will be given the opportunity, as he should, to appeal that decision, just as everyone else has that opportunity.” Biden added that it was “reckless, dangerous, irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because he doesn't like the verdict.”
As Biden walked away from the podium, a reporter shouted a question: Donald Trump refers to himself as a political prisoner and blames him squarely. What is his response to that sir?”
The president paused, turned to reporters and flashed what some called an “eerie” smile for nearly 10 seconds before walking away, without offering a verbal response.
BIDEN SAYS TRUMP 'SHOULD' HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL CONVICTION, SMILES AND IGNORE QUESTIONS
(L) US President Joe Biden pauses to react to a question from reporters as he leaves the State Dining Room of the White House on May 31. (R) Former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)
“Do you think a conviction will have an impact on the campaign?” the journalist pressed, without a response from the president.
Sage Steele, a former ESPN reporter, reacted to the X video by saying, “Honestly, I rarely use the word evil to describe another human being, but…”
Amber Duke, editor of The Spectator, posted similarly on
LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP RAILS AGAINST 'FIXED' CONVICTION
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump Tower, Friday, May 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Jason Miller, a senior Trump campaign official, commented on the site: “Where did the senile fool go too?”
Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt commented: “Evil.” A Republican National Committee X account posted: “Pure evil.”
TRUMP SAYS HE WOULD HAVE “LOVED” TO WITNESS IN CRIMINAL TRIAL IN NEW YORK
President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event at Pullman Yards on March 9, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
“He's not even trying to hide it anymore…Biden's smile is all American voters need to see,” said Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas.
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Rep. Elise Stefanik, R.N.Y., said, “Joe Biden is a clear and present threat to democracy.”
Fox News Digital's Greg Norman and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
