President Joe Biden on Monday refused to walk back his comments that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power,” telling reporters: “I don’t care about what he thinks.”
“I just was expressing my outrage. He shouldn’t remain in power, just like, you know, bad people shouldn’t continue to do bad things,” Biden said in response to a question from CNN’s Kaitlan Collins at the White House. “But it doesn’t mean we have a fundamental policy to do anything to take Putin down in any way.”
Collins then asked Biden: Are you confident that Vladimir Putin sees it that way, that he will not use this as an escalatory…
“I don’t care,” Biden interjected. “I don’t care what he thinks.”
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The president then said that Putin “He’s going to do what he’s going to do.”
“Given his recent behavior, people should understand he is going to do what he thinks he should do, period,” Biden said. “He’s not affected by anyone else, including, unfortunately, his own advisers. This is a guy who goes to the beat of his own drummer. And the idea he is going to do something outrageous because I called him for what he was and what he’s doing, I think, is just not rational.”
Biden’s response was widely praised by social media users, who celebrated seeing someone finally standing up to Putin. Check some of the reactions below:
Reporter: Are you confident that Vladimir Putin sees it that way…
Biden: I don’t care what he thinks… pic.twitter.com/oWDkLivqjG
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 28, 2022
Reporter: "Are you confident that Vladimir Putin sees it that way… "
Biden: pic.twitter.com/NVHB3qQv5e
— NotATweeter16 (@NotATweeter16) March 28, 2022
Thank his he is our president.
Thank fucking god!
Perfect answer. Perfect.
— YS (@ReallyActivist) March 28, 2022
He's right. Why are we pretending we can somehow rein in Putin if we just all say the right things?
— Alex Stein (@A1exStein) March 28, 2022
President Biden is correct; whatever words he uses is not going to affect what Putin does. President Biden will speak with his advisors and find the best way to counter him if there IS escalation towards the U.S. Until that time, there is still planning to be done.
— JimiDragon "the Shadow" (@jimidragon) March 28, 2022
If Putin escalates based on a comment Biden made, Putin was going to escalate anyway.
— Eric (@E_R_I_C_____) March 28, 2022
How does he stay so calm when people are being so ridiculous. And how is he able to do a press conference after the trip to Poland and just getting back last night.
— Violeta (@VioletaQSmith) March 28, 2022
Okay I am loving Joe today pic.twitter.com/ay4S4or4TM
— Heather (Taylor's Version) (@twilover76) March 28, 2022
I’m with Biden. I’ve heard reporters ask this to everyone they speak to & they’re always surprised when the person says Biden was right. Why are they surprised? Because whomever they are asking didn’t follow the narrative the reporters were trying to create.
— Cindy Lou Who (@cinmanncopp) March 28, 2022
Finally, some of the western leaders stopped tiptoeing around Putin and said what is real.
Russia doesn't need a reason. They will create a "justification" for whatever they may ever need.
Waiting for the German and French leaders to understand this as well
— mobimaks 🇺🇦 (@dualmen) March 28, 2022
More interested in her sound bite than journalism
— Force Maj-eure (@LucasRoman) March 28, 2022
I think at least half of the WH press pool are only there for a sound bite for clickbait and ratings. Gone are the days of real reporters.
— Non-believer Nurse MHA BS RN CCM 🇺🇦🌻 (@bdog_mom) March 28, 2022
President Biden was handling the press like a boss. pic.twitter.com/fEQvpdb9Oz
— Zuzu Petals (@Zuzu1025) March 28, 2022
