During a recent interview, President Biden stumbled when questioned about his favorite foods, prompting first lady Jill Biden to interject and remind him of his fondness for ice cream.

ABC's Sunday night New Year's Eve programming featured the interview conducted by former "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.

Biden has to be reminded by Jill that ice cream is his favorite food during rare interview https://t.co/g3xHXXHyBb via @nypost

— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) January 2, 2024

Biden's response

When asked about holiday foods, Biden responded, "I've been eating everything that's put in front of me," listing pasta, chicken, and various Italian dishes. Mrs. Biden chimed in, saying, "And ice cream." The president concurred, specifying, "And ice cream. Chocolate chip ice cream."

The exchange garnered mockery on social media, with viewers expressing skepticism about the interview's substance.

Critics noted the absence of Biden's interviews with newspaper reporters during his nearly three-year presidency, and concerns about his mental acuity persist amid his bid for a second term.

Biden's campaign

Biden, campaigning for re-election, will turn 86 if he completes a full second term. The interview, recorded on Saturday during the president's vacation in St. Croix, included his wish for a healthy and safe new year, emphasizing America's global leadership position.

Observing the First Lady's influence in keeping the president on message, White House reporters noted the rare unscripted interview session when she is present.

During Biden's solo press conference in November 2022, a staffer added a front-row seat for Mrs. Biden at the last minute. The press conference ended abruptly after Biden's misstatement about Russian troop movements in Ukraine.

Other challenges

The lighthearted Biden-Seacrest interview occurred amid challenges such as a surge in illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border and an impeachment inquiry.

Former President Donald Trump, leading in polls, is anticipated to be Biden's opponent in the upcoming election, despite facing multiple criminal cases.

Trump's advantage is fueled by economic concerns, including high interest rates and inflation, reflecting the electorate's pessimism.

According to a New York Times poll released in November, 71% of swing-state voters expressed that President Biden is "too old to be an effective president." In contrast, only 39% held a similar view regarding former President Trump.

Another recent poll further supports this concern, revealing that 73% of registered voters believe Biden is too old for the presidency. In comparison, 47% shared a similar opinion about Trump as the two political leaders remain on course for a rematch for the White House in November.