Biden shies away from press events

At the end of his first year in office, Joe Biden has held fewer news conferences and participated in fewer interviews than his five immediate predecessors at the same point in their presidencies


MEDIA EVENTS OF PRESIDENT’S FIRST YEAR

Press conferences*	Press interviews†	Informal Q&A†

Joe Biden 2021
9
22
216

Donald Trump 2017
22
92
120

Barack Obama 2009
27
156
46

George W. Bush 2001
19
49
144

Bill Clinton 1993
38 
54
245

George Bush 1989
31 
46
58


Biden has given only nine formal press conferences, six solo and three jointly with visiting foreign leaders

Jan 19: Holds first solo press conference at White House since March 2021

Biden takes impromptu questions more frequently than last three presidents but spends less time answering them


*Through Jan 11, 2022 † Through Dec 31, 2021


Sources: White House Transition Project/Towson University, CPJ, AP, Reuters 
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