President Joe Biden is breaking a longstanding tradition observed during election years, where presidents typically engage in a pregame interview with the Super Bowl host network. CBS News, as reported by Brian Steinberg of Variety, has confirmed that President Biden will not partake in a pregame interview ahead of the clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on February 11. This marks the second consecutive year that President Biden has declined such an opportunity, despite CBS News being in discussions with the White House in recent weeks.
While details about the specific correspondent and the length of the potential interview remain undisclosed, it was believed to be a 15-minute session, with three or four minutes slated for broadcast during the network’s pre-game coverage. President Biden’s decision is notable, especially considering the significant viewership this tradition typically garners in the hours preceding the kickoff. Last year, he also turned down an interview with a correspondent from Fox News Channel. Typically, announcements about a Super Bowl interview with the president are finalized several days before the event.
White House spokesman Ben LaBolt stated, “We hope viewers enjoy watching what they tuned in for — the game.” President Biden’s choice to skip the interview raises intrigue on various fronts. As one of the least popular sitting presidents, he faces the challenge of bolstering his approval ratings, particularly with the upcoming November competition against Donald Trump.
The decision suggests that President Biden does not view interviews as a means to enhance his appeal with swing voters or communicate his policies effectively. It raises questions about how the media would have reacted if Trump had similarly declined a Super Bowl pregame interview.
President Biden’s choice to bypass the Super Bowl interview comes amidst a week of domestic and global turmoil, including US retaliation against Iran-backed groups and speculations connecting Biden’s name to a Taylor Swift/Chiefs conspiracy, which the Department of Defense refuted. Some conservative voices suggested Swift colluded with the NFL and the government to endorse Biden during or around the Super Bowl.
In light of these developments, it remains to be seen whether President Biden will regret not engaging with millions of viewers during the Super Bowl pregame, especially as the football season gains momentum this fall.
