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After officially declaring Easter Sunday Transgender Day of Visibility, a move that enraged evangelical Christians, Catholics and even Jews, President Biden insisted a day later that he didnt do that.

Yet despite a post from his own presidential X account an official presidential proclamation issued by the White House that was also displayed on official social media platforms demonstratively showing Mr. Biden did indeed do that, the White House press corps went into action dutifully defending the president and attacking Republicans for their anger.

So, the criticism over the Transgender Day of Visibility, the White House said that the president wouldnt abuse his faith for political purposes, was how The Associated Press Will Weissert teed up the controversy for White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday. Does the president think thats what Republicans are doing on this?

Ms. Jean-Pierre duly responded that fallout over the proclamation was based on misinformation done on purpose by Mr. Bidens cruel, hateful and dishonest political foes and that the president would never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit.

Apparently satisfied with that nonresponse, Mr. Weissert thanked the press secretary, and the rest of the complacent White House press corps never broached the subject again.

Media fact-checkers also had the presidents back. Mr. Biden did not declare Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility, despite the presidents own proclamation, they argued, because March 31 has already been recognized as International Transgender Day of Visibility since 2009. The two dates just happened to coincide this year.

Its no surprise that Americans trust in the mass medias reporting is at its lowest point in the history of Gallup polling, with 39% recently reporting that they have no confidence at all in the nations press corps.

But mainstream reporters serving as partisan mouthpieces didnt start with Mr. Bidens presidency. For that, you have to go back to the last Democrat to occupy the Oval Office.

Barack Obama, with his youthful charisma, intoxicating message of hope and change, and history-making status as the nations first Black president, captivated the hearts and minds of Washingtons elite press corps. You could say they got thrills going up their legs shilling for the progressive wunderkind.

Even Hillary Clinton noticed the change in the quality of press coverage when she was battling Mr. Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. In one primary debate, Mrs. Clinton referenced a Saturday Night Live skit about a love-struck media fawning over Mr. Obama while treating her as an obstacle in his way.

I just find it curious if anybody saw Saturday Night Live, maybe we should ask Barack if hes comfortable and needs another pillow, Mrs. Clinton fumed on the debate stage.

It wasnt just a rant from a sore loser: The Center for Media and Public Affairs reported that from mid-December 2007 to mid-February 2008, 83% of Mr. Obamas coverage on network news telecasts was dotingly admirable an unprecedented number.

During the general election campaign, media coverage was more positive than negative for Mr. Obama, whereas his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, was trashed. According to a Pew Research Centers Project for Excellence in Journalism study, nearly 6 in 10 stories on McCain were decidedly negative, while fewer than 2 in 10 were positive.

Mr. Obamas popularity with the Fourth Estate continued into his first 100 days in office, where he enjoyed substantially more positive media coverage than either Bill Clinton or George W. Bush during their first months in the White House, according to Pew.

The study found that positive stories about Mr. Obama outweighed the negative by 2-to-1 (42% vs. 20%), while 38% of the stories were neutral or mixed.

Mr. Obama was aware of his star appeal, joking at the 2009 White House Correspondents Dinner that most of you covered me. All of you voted for me.

Presidential accountability nearly vanished during Mr. Obamas eight years in office. The press corps turned a blind eye when Mr. Obama illegally ignored treaties duly ratified by the Senate to investigate and prosecute torture, when he ordered the assassination of an American citizen in secret without due process, and when he waged an unprecedented war against government whistleblowers.

When Mr. Obamas IRS targeted and tried to suppress conservative groups, the mainstream media yawned. When Mr. Obamas Justice Department spied on the AP collecting two months worth of reporters phone records the press accepted it.

So is it any surprise that Mr. Biden Mr. Obamas loyal vice president for those eight years isnt being held to account for his catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, for the deaths of U.S. service members abroad, or his handling of the illegal invasion of our southern border?

As in Mr. Obamas administration, when concerned parents or pro-life activists are targeted, the press deems it a right-wing conspiracy not worthy of coverage. When evidence surfaces that Mr. Bidens White House is working to censor and curtail Americans free speech on social media platforms, the media looks the other way because its conservatives who are mostly the targets.

Mr. Bidens White House gets a major break on policy issues as well. Higher inflation? Dont worry, its transitory. Unprecedented southern border crossings? The border is secure, and it is Congress fault. Rising gas prices? Obviously, its because of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Increased crime? Only a concern in conservative circles. Mr. Bidens cognitive decline? Dont ask, ignore.

Donald Trump, by contrast, is the devil, a threat to democracy, a dictator worse than Hitler, the Antichrist, according to the dominant media perspective these days.

If you only listen to the mainstream media, these are the narratives youll hear (or wont hear). But dont blame Mr. Biden for the Fourth Estates corruption. Blame Mr. Obama. It started under him.

Kelly Sadler is the commentary editor at The Washington Times.

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How Obama ruined the mainstream press corps - Washington Times

The epicenter of the presidential campaign shifted to New York on Thursday, as the incumbent president and three of his predecessors descended on the area for dueling events that illustrated the kinds of political clashes that could come to define the general election.

For Democrats, it was a high-profile, celebrity-studded fund-raiser for President Biden in Manhattan. On Long Island, former President Donald J. Trump attended a wake for a New York City officer who was killed during a traffic stop on Monday. Together, the days events struck an unusual contrast in a general election campaign that has so far been largely defined by appearances in courtrooms and at small, invitation-only events.

Mr. Biden, along with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, appeared before 5,000 donors at a Radio City Music Hall event that campaign aides said raised $25 million. The eye-popping number set a record for a single political event, according to the aides, and offered a star-studded show of Democratic unity as the president heads into a difficult re-election campaign.

The three Democratic presidents spent much of their time in New York City wrapped in the glitz of their celebrity supporters. Tieless and in matching white shirts, they sat for an interview on a celebrity podcast, were roasted by the comedian Mindy Kaling and interviewed by Stephen Colbert, a late-night host.

Our democracy is at stake, not a joke. I think democracy is literally at stake, Mr. Biden said. Were at an inflection point in history.

Both Mr. Obama and Mr. Clinton made the case for re-electing Mr. Biden, praising his work expanding health care coverage, creating jobs, capping insulin prices and navigating the competing demands of the war in Gaza.

Its not just the negative case against the presumptive nominee on the other side. Its the positive case for somebody whos done an outstanding job, said Mr. Obama. We also have a positive story to tell about the future and that is something that Joe Biden has worked on, diligently, each and every day.

Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, made his own appearance in the area several hours earlier, at a funeral home on Long Island surrounded by hundreds of police officers and family members of the slain officer. While not officially a campaign stop, aides used the appearance to draw a sharp contrast with Mr. Biden, attacking the Democrats for spending their evening with donors and celebrities. In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has spent far more time battling in court than in battleground states.

Mr. Biden, meanwhile, has increased the pace of his events since his State of the Union address early this month. But the fund-raiser was one of the largest crowds he has appeared before as president. It will expand an already significant cash advantage, too, raising in one night $5 million more than Mr. Trump reported collecting in February.

The days events underscored a central dynamic of the race: Mr. Biden is campaigning with the force of the Democratic establishment behind his bid, as Mr. Trump stands largely alone.

While Mr. Trump has been endorsed by many Republicans in Congress, a small but persistent wing of the party has declined to support his third run for the White House. The only other living former Republican president has not endorsed his bid, nor has Mike Pence, his former vice president.

Mr. Biden faces a different problem. Nearly all Democratic Party officials, politicians and strategists stand behind his effort. Yet, he has faced sustained opposition from a vocal minority of progressives who have protested the war in Gaza, through protest votes and event disruptions.

On Thursday, a group of several hundred protesters marched through the rain to stand outside the fund-raiser. Biden, Biden, youre a liar, we demand a cease-fire, they chanted. Mr. Biden has faced growing anger from political supporters and global allies about the civilian death toll in Israels war on Hamas.

Jacob Sierra, 27, said he was at the protest because Joe Biden has been enabling the genocide. A registered Democrat from Brooklyn, Mr. Sierra voted for Mr. Biden in 2020 but doesnt think hell vote for the president or Mr. Trump this year.

Were just really frustrated with the fact that this is still going on, said Mr. Sierra, who works for a nonprofit. Were seeing vague sympathy from the president and other elected officials but there is not a lot of action.

Inside the hall, the three presidents sat in matching white armchairs and took the stage to strains of Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, the unofficial bard of the Democratic Party.

Before their appearance, Ms. Kaling warmed up the crowd with jokes about those who spent $500,000 to attend and the age of the men they were all gathered to celebrate. Ms. Kaling, 44, said that she looked like a cast member on Euphoria compared to Mr. Biden, Mr. Obama and Mr. Clinton.

Protesters disrupted the program by shouting blood on your hands. Some were escorted out of the hall by security. You cant just talk and not listen, Mr. Obama snapped, as he was interrupted. Thats what the other side does.

When asked about the situation in Gaza, Mr. Biden expressed understanding for both sides, saying there are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian.

Its understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there, he said. But we must, in fact, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians, particularly children.

The appearance ended with a joke, when Mr. Colbert, Mr. Clinton and Mr. Obama put on aviator sunglasses as their impression of the president.

Mr. Biden cracked that hes a man who loves two things: Ray-Ban sunglasses and ice cream.

A musical program featured a series of celebrity endorsers including Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.

Only a small group of press traveling with the White House was allowed in the event and video footage by the news media was prohibited. Before the fund-raiser, the three presidents participated in a joint interview on Smartless, a podcast hosted by the actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes.

Mr. Trumps appearance struck a decidedly different tone. The former president spent about 30 minutes inside a funeral home in suburban Massapequa on Long Island, visiting with the widow and 1-year-old son of Officer Jonathan Diller. Mr. Diller was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Monday.

While not an official campaign event, Mr. Trump took the opportunity to press a tough-on-crime message. Mr. Trump, who is facing four criminal cases, including one in Manhattan that is going to trial in less than three weeks, stood in front of more than a dozen police officers and proclaimed the need for the country to get back to law and order.

His campaign pushed a different message, drawing a sharp contrast between Mr. Trumps visit and the other political event happening in the region.

President Trump will be honoring the legacy of Officer Diller, Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesman, said on social media.

Mayor Eric Adams of New York, who attended the wake after Mr. Trump, told reporters that Mr. Biden had called him to offer condolences that Mr. Adams said he would relay to the family. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Mr. Biden has supported law enforcement officers throughout his entire career.

Violent crime surged under the previous administration, she said, speaking aboard Air Force One, as the president traveled to New York City. The Biden-Harris administration have done the polar opposite, taking decisive action from the very beginning to fund the police and achieving a historic reduction in crime.

Michael Gold and Julian Roberts-Grmela contributed reporting.

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Election Updates: Obama and Clinton appear with Biden to raise $25 million. - The New York Times

President Biden will depart Washington today for a two-day trip to New York, turning his attention away from swing states to campaign and raise funds in a liberal stronghold.

Mr. Biden, 81, will be joined tonight at a campaign fund-raiser in Manhattan by his two most recent Democratic predecessors: Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

The star-studded event, at Radio City Music Hall, is aimed at building on the already significant financial advantage Mr. Biden has over his opponent, former President Donald J. Trump. Campaign finance records released last week showed that Mr. Bidens campaign had more than twice as much cash on hand as Mr. Trumps campaign a gap of nearly $40 million.

And it is likely to be just the beginning of the effort by Mr. Obama, 62, who left office seven years ago, and Mr. Clinton, 77, who left office over 23 years ago, to lift the presidents re-election campaign ahead of his rematch against Mr. Trump in the fall.

Mr. Obama in particular has expressed grave concerns that Mr. Biden could lose to Mr. Trump and is making regular calls to top aides at the White House to strategize and offer advice. He had previously played a crucial role in wrapping up the 2020 primaries after it became nearly certain that Mr. Biden would be the nominee.

Mr. Obama and Mr. Clinton both campaigned on Mr. Bidens behalf in the 2020 race and made main-stage speeches at that years Democratic National Convention. The two have since offered the president their counsel during his term and have visited the White House and promoted their policy achievements alongside Mr. Biden.

Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate in 2016, had meanwhile made some effort to eschew campaign politics during her own appearance at the New York Public Library on Wednesday evening. But Mrs. Clinton could not entirely avoid questions about Mr. Trump and the coming election. She said that Americans should ensure that Mr. Trump is never president ever again. She was also asked whether she found Mr. Trumps felony indictments gratifying.

I am not answering that question, she said with a smile and a vigorous shake of her head.

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Biden Will Campaign Alongside Bill Clinton and Barack Obama - The New York Times

L.L. Bean has just added a third shift at its factory in Brunswick, Maine, in an attempt to keep up with demand for its iconic boot.

Orders have quadrupled in the past few years as the boots have become more popular among a younger, more urban crowd.

The company says it saw the trend coming and tried to prepare, but orders outpaced projections. They expect to sell 450,000 pairs of boots in 2014.

People hoping to have the boots in time for Christmas are likely going to be disappointed. The bootsare back ordered through February and even March.

"I've been told it's a good problem to have but I"m disappointed that customers not getting what they want as quickly as they want," said Senior Manufacturing Manager Royce Haines.

Customers like, Mary Clifford, tried to order boots on line, but they were back ordered until January.

"I was very surprised this is what they are known for and at Christmas time you can't get them when you need them," said Clifford.

People who do have boots are trying to capitalize on the shortage and are selling them on Ebay at a much higher cost.

L.L. Bean says it has hired dozens of new boot makers, but it takes up to six months to train someone to make a boot.

The company has also spent a million dollars on new equipment to try and keep pace with demand.

Some customers are having luck at the retail stores. They have a separate inventory, and while sizes are limited, those stores have boots on the shelves.

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Biden, Obama, Clinton in NYC: Street closures, traffic impacts and more to know - NBC New York

Michelle Obama praised Beyonces Cowboy Carter country album on Instagram while putting in a plea for fans to vote.

The former first lady wrote in a post on Tuesday that Beyonce was helping redefine a music genre and transform our culture, before pivoting to this years presidential election.

This album reminds us that we ALL have power, she wrote in the posts caption, which accompanied the cover art for Cowboy Carter. Theres power in our history, in our joy, and in our votes and we can each use our own gifts and talents to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to us.

Together, we can stand up for what we believe in, and we must do that at the ballot box this year, she continued. The issues that impact us most are on the ballot across the country from equal pay and racial justice to reproductive healthcare and climate change. And as Queen Bey says at the end of Ya Ya, we need to keep the faith and VOTE!

The ex-first lady pointed followers to her When We All Vote website to register to vote, adding that the process can be done in the time it takes you to listen to your favorite song on the album.

In January, Obama talked about the 2024 presidential election during an appearance on Jay Shettys On Purpose podcast.

I am terrified about what could possibly happen because our leaders matter who we select, who speaks for us, who holds that bully pulpit, she said.

Obamas call to action comes amid recent reports that her husband, former President Barack Obama, is becoming more involved with President Joe Bidens campaign.

Beyonce received the Innovator Award at the iHeart Radio Music Awards on Monday, weeks after her single, Texas Hold Em, climbed to No. 1 on Billboards country songs chart. Shes the first Black woman to reach the top spot.

The 32-time Grammy winner endorsed Biden shortly before the 2020 election.

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Michelle Obama's Shoutout To Beyonce Takes A Political Turn - Yahoo Entertainment