US President Joe Biden lashed out at a reporter calling her a 'pain in the neck' during a question answer session following a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House on Monday. NBC News reporter Kelly O'Donnell was enquiring about the Department of Veterans' Affairs vaccine mandate when she was snapped at by the President.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) became the first federal agency to require its frontline health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 within two month or face removal from the job in case they don't oblige.
Reporter Took the Remark As a 'Compliment'
In the incident which took place post the Q&A session, O'Donnell questioned Biden about Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough's department-wide COVID vaccine mandate for its health care workers.
"You are such a pain in the neck, but I'm going to answer your question because we've known each other so long," Biden responded to which the reporter said, "I take that as a compliment, Mr. President."
BIDEN: President Biden tells reporter, "You're such a pain in the neck," as she asks him a question. pic.twitter.com/5d9RakTVyK
— Forbes (@Forbes) July 27, 2021
However before answering her question Biden clarified that it had 'nothing to do with Iraq'
"Yes. Veteran Affairs is going to in fact require that all docs working in facilities are going to have to be vaccinated," Biden replied regarding health care workers at the VA.
Netizens Unhappy With Biden's Remarks
Even though the remark didn't appear to bother the reporter, it certainly didn't go down well with the netizens.
The look on her face says it all. “You're such a pain in the neck': Biden snaps at NBC News reporter Kelly O'Donnell for asking about the VA's vaccine mandate during his meeting with Iraqi PM in the Oval Office†His entitlements are beginning to piss some reporters off. pic.twitter.com/cIXE7bOvUM
— Dfhappy (@dfhappy) July 27, 2021
"Biden calls a reporter, "A pain in the neck" Do these reporters still worship him?" wrote a Twitter user.
Except he literally is... I’m not arguing Trump wasn’t terrible with the press, but acting like Biden doesn’t blow up everytime he doesn’t get a question about how much ice cream he’s had that day is laughably ignorant. Just today he called a reporter a pain in the neck for 1/2
— TimmyJ213 (@J213Timmy) July 27, 2021
"This is OUR STIPID ASS PRESIDENT!!!!Biden tells reporter she's a 'pain in the neck' for question about Veterans Affairs," wrote another.
Biden calls reporter 'pain in the neck' for question about Veterans Affairs COVID-19 vaccine mandate
— Carol (@Carol96208870) July 27, 2021
Biden looked so frail and old, he was having a hard time speaking at times, like he was confused.https://t.co/FT6HuTULGe
"Could you imagine if trump called a reporter from @NBCNews a pain in the neck but I'm going to answer your question anyway. I bet @NorahODonnell wouldn't laugh then," opined a user.
@POTUS “a pain in the neck “ is no way for a president to talk to reporters when they ASK a question. #DementiaJoe #WorstPresident #weak
— HadEnoughBS (@HadEnoughBS4) July 27, 2021
"Careful Miz O'Donnell, this man is unstable, he's able to ruin your life. He loves it when people suck up to him," read another tweet.
Biden slams 'pain in the neck' reporter for off-topic question on breaking news. It follows a troubling pattern of attacks on journalists. https://t.co/bhRGlpUdXk
— Frank Yonkof (@FrankYonkof) July 27, 2021
"So, Biden can insult a reporter saying she's "a pain in the neck" and we only hear crickets from the Left. Trump could say the exact same thing to the exact same reporter and the world would have blown up. #DoubleStandards," expressed a user.
