WH fires back at journalists who call Biden speech 'political,' uses media's own reporting against them

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Biden unleashes on 'MAGA Republicans,' calls them threat to democracy

Alexandria Hoff reports on White House's defense of Biden rhetoric

The White House did not hold back against journalists who described President Biden's anti-MAGA speech as "political."

Speaking in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia during remarks billed as his "Battle for the Soul of the Nation" speech Thursday night, Biden repeatedly slammed the "MAGA Republicans" and called out former President Trump by name as being threats to democracy. 

The White House insisted it was not a campaign speech despite his partisan attacks and urging Americans to "vote, vote, vote!" 

Many critics, including members of the establishment media, appeared shocked by the partisan nature of the primetime address. 

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President Biden delivers remarks on what he calls the "continued battle for the Soul of the Nation" in front of Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, U.S., September 1, 2022. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason began his tweet by quoting the president's response to hecklers at his speech, writing, "'Good manners is nothing they’ve ever suffered from,' @POTUS says about protesters at his speech, in which he accused former President Trump and ‘MAGA Republicans’ of threatening the foundation of U.S. democracy. The White House said earlier today the speech was not political."

CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe similarly wrote, "Like or loathe what he said tonight, it should be noted: The president spoke tonight on the grounds of a national park, flanked by US Marines, and took direct, specific aim at his predecessor and members of the Republican Party. Another thing we don’t see everyday."

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CNN correspondent Jeff Zeleny added, "There’s nothing unusual or wrong with a President delivering a political speech — it’s inherent in the job description — but doing it against a backdrop of two Marines standing at attention and the Marine Band is a break with White House traditions."

President Biden delivers remarks on what he calls the "continued battle for the Soul of the Nation" in front of Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, U.S., September 1, 2022. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates swiftly rejected their criticisms and fired back by using articles from their respective outlets against them.

"It's no more ‘political’ than this accurate and timely reporting from CNN," Bates told Zeleny before sharing CNN headlines like "Jake Tapper breaks down GOP threats to democracy" and "An Arizona Trump rally and voting rights march underscore the fight for democracy."

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Bates lifted three Reuters headlines in response to Mason; "Reuters unmasks Trump supporters who terrified U.S. election officials," "Campaign of Fear: The Trump world’s assault on U.S. election workers" and "World shocked by Trump supporters' attack on U.S. democracy."

He similarly replied to O'Keefe with CBS headlines "The 'Big Lie' and the fate of democracy," "January 6 hearings, and the next test for American democracy" and "Romney warns of 'extraordinary challenge' to preserve American democracy."

CNN anchor Brianna Keilar similarly knocked Biden's "political" speech, specifically how flanking two Marines "flies in the face" of having an apolitical military. 

Bates' colleague, White House deputy press secretary Chris Meagher, replied to Keilar, "Democracy is not a partisan or political issue."

The White House deputy press secretary further mocked the media. 

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"Press: 'Biden isn't doing enough to counter unprecedented threats to democracy. Why aren't you meeting the moment?' Also press: 'It's so hyper partisan to defend democracy from these unprecedented threats. Who said you should meet the moment?'" Bates wrote. 

The White House declined to further comment.

White House Director of Digital Strategy Rob Flaherty also responded to a CBS reporter's tweet that highlighted how Biden gave his political speech on federal land flanked by Marines while an image from Jan 6. 

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk in front of Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, U.S., September 1, 2022. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

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Critics joined Keilar in knocking Biden's use of the military in his campaign-like speech.

Others drew attention to the dramatic lighting of his speech, comparing it to the villainous Supreme Leader Snoke from the Star Wars franchise, the "gates of Hell" and even invoked "Hades."