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“I know what the hell I’m doing”: Biden fires back at special counsel’s memory comments

In a last-minute addition to his schedule, Biden addresses Robert Hur calling his mental capabilities into question

Senior Culture Editor

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President Joe Biden speaks about the Special Counsel report in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 8, 2024 in a surprise last-minute addition to his schedule for the day. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
President Joe Biden speaks about the Special Counsel report in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 8, 2024 in a surprise last-minute addition to his schedule for the day. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Hours after special counsel Robert Hur released a report concluding that President Biden did "willfully" retain classified documents from his time as vice president, depicting him as "well-intentioned, but sometimes hapless and forgetful" in his explanation for why it would be difficult to pursue a prosecution in the matter, Biden himself addressed his comments in a last-minute addition to his schedule for the day. 

Speaking from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC., Biden lashed out at Hur, saying, “I am well-meaning. And I’m an elderly man. And I know what the hell I’m doing. I’ve been president – I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation.”

Getting worked up on the issue of his age and memory being frequently called into question, Biden got into a heated exchange with CNN’s MJ Lee, who asked why he is best equipped to take on Trump in a November general election.

“Because I’m the most qualified person in this country to finish the job I started,” Biden shot back. 

In an unfortunate flub, made minutes after defending his own memory, Biden mistakenly referred to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the president of Mexico while answering questions from reporters about hostage negotiations and humanitarian aid in the Gaza strip, according to CNN

Watch that moment here:

By Kelly McClure

Kelly McClure is Salon's Senior Culture Editor, where she helps further coverage of TV, film, music, books and culture trends from a unique and thoughtful angle. Her work has also appeared in Vulture, Vanity Fair, Vice and many other outlets that don't start with the letter V. She is the author of one sad book called "Something Is Always Happening Somewhere." Follow her on Bluesky: @WolfieVibes

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