Biden cheat sheet for Iraq PM meeting caught on camera – including instructions to 'pause'

Policy

by Ryan King

Leader in cheating?

President Biden was again caught holding a bed sheet bearing written statements to the press during an Oval Office meeting with the Iraqi prime minister on Monday.

Biden, 81, turned to the text — which included a play-by-play directive in capital letters about when to pause in his comments to allow a translator to translate — to make his first public statement since Iran launched an unprecedented direct missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend.

The president looked at his text repeatedly as he sat next to Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani.

Al-Sudani did not rely on note cards of any kind when he made brief statements after Biden.

Instead of Biden making a statement on camera as Saturday's attack was carried out, the White House pulled the lid just after 5 p.m. and released photos of the president and his national security team tracking the attack in the Situation Room.

Biden also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to express American support for the Jewish state. The next day, the president met with G7 leaders to discuss a diplomatic response.

Behind the scenes, Biden reportedly pressured Netanyahu to moderate any response to Iran, fearing the conflict could escalate significantly.

The United States is committed to Israel's security. We are committed to the ceasefire [between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip] Biden said during his brief remarks on Monday that this would bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already is.

The president has a history of relying on note cards for traditionally offhand comments. In April last year, he was seen using a card that appeared to include a question from a reporter before Biden invited the journalist to ask a question.

Biden has also relied on note cards for private fundraising, something that has worried some donors. Axios reported In February of this year.