MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle revealed for the first time on Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s team tried to end her interview with him in May 2023 after she asked a question about his son, Hunter Biden. Ruhle explained that after asking Biden how a potential indictment of Hunter Biden might impact his presidency, the White House immediately reacted by trying to halt the interview.
During a conversation with Lukas Thimm, Ruhle recounted that the Biden team became visibly upset and waved in front of the camera, attempting to stop the interview after her “completely reasonable” question. She explained that the interview was limited to just 10 minutes, and at the nine-and-a-half-minute mark, she asked about the impact of Hunter’s potential legal troubles on his father’s presidency. This question, Ruhle said, led to the White House trying to cut the interview short.
Despite their attempts, the interview continued for another four minutes, but the exchange became a story in itself, with Ruhle noting that the incident was recorded in the public transcript. Ruhle also pointed out that NBC faced consequences for the situation, indicating that the network was reprimanded for the White House’s reaction.
The interview, which aired with Hunter Biden’s indictment as a key topic, also saw Biden defend his son, saying an indictment would not affect his administration because Hunter “did nothing wrong” and that he was “proud of him.” However, the efforts to stop the interview were not included in the aired version.
Ruhle also reflected on the broader state of media coverage, criticizing the traditional media’s lack of genuine interaction with politicians. She contrasted the polished soundbites from many politicians with what she described as the more authentic moments that President-elect Donald Trump provides, even when he may not be entirely truthful. Ruhle added that the public is growing tired of the typical media format and seeks more personal connections with political figures.
Regarding access to Trump, Ruhle mentioned that she found it easier to reach out to the president-elect directly via phone compared to Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, further illustrating the challenges she faced in her interviews.
