President Joe Biden isn't exactly known for taking many questions from the press, let alone in the White House briefing room. 

So it's no surprise that reporters in the White House briefing room were shocked to see the elderly president take questions in that room for the first time during his presidency.

According to Fox News, the president spoke on a number of topics, including the dockworker's strike, job numbers reports and other issues of the day before commenting on the devastating damage left by Hurricane Helene.

Biden, who has been widely criticized for his response  -- or lack of -- to hurricane relief efforts, told reporters that he would likely be asking Congress for additional funding to help with the clean-up and rebuilding efforts.

What did he say?

The death toll from Hurricane Helene keeps rising, and certain areas of the country, including North Carolina and parts of Tennessee, experienced catastrophic damage.

Many believe Biden took the podium on Friday in an attempt to prove that his administration is actually doing something about the storm damage, including asking Congress for more funds to deal with it.

"We're going to have to deal with unforeseen cost what this hurricane is going to cost. It's going to cost a lot of money and I'm probably going to have to ask the Congress before we leave for more money to deal with some of those problems," Biden told reporters.

JUST IN: White House briefing room descends into chaos as President Biden stands in front of shouting reporters, not knowing who to call on.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre jumped in to save Biden as reporters shouted at him, trying to ask questions.

At one point during the… pic.twitter.com/XyC2L73s7R

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 4, 2024

Biden and his administration have spent days attempting to prove that they're guiding an appropriate federal response, despite claims from the ground level that the government is hindering rescue efforts and not doing enough.

Interestingly, Biden's appearance came in the wake of an Axios report that highlighted Biden's seeming absence from the spotlight since being ousted from the presidential race.

Social media reacts

Social media users had their own opinions on Biden's rare and first appearance behind the podium in the briefing room.

"This is exactly why his handlers kept him hidden from the press throughout his entire presidency," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "He is doing that on purpose. He despises Kamala."

Only time will tell if his administration can make things right. One would be wise not to bet on it, though.