While NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt refused to press Jill Biden on accusations she cheated on her first husband with then-Senator Joe Biden during his Thursday interview, he did awkwardly ask her whether or not she got nervous whenever her husband was addressing the public. He also pressed her when Joe planned to get out of his basement and visit the battleground states.
Following a cheeky question about giving NBC viewers a preview of her husband’s speech for later that night, Holt asked this shockingly pointed question about Jill’s confidence in her husband’s speaking ability:
Now, he has been known, as you know, sometimes to talk himself into corners, going off script and saying things that may divert from the message he wants to deliver. Is that something the two of you talk about, something you have anxiety about?
“Oh, gosh no,” she said. “You know, he knows exactly what he wants to say. He knows exactly where he wants to take this country. And that's what you are going to hear tonight.”
Holt then appeared to urge Jill to get the campaign to shift gears and physically get out of Delaware and into the battleground states. Of course, it was disguised as a question:
I think most people get the idea of having a virtual convention, owing of course to the virus but, you know, campaigns sometimes are won or lost in that ability to get out there to the battleground states, to meet people, to press the flesh. Have the two of you discussed your tolerance – your risk tolerance this campaign season for getting outside Delaware, getting out to some of the battleground states?
Biden gave Holt the answer he probably didn’t want to hear.
“[Y]ou know, we want nothing more than to be able to get out there and talk to the people. So, once the experts say it's safe, we're going to be out on the trail,” she told him.
She also touted their virtual campaigning, saying: “Well, you know, Lester, we are getting to thousands and thousands of people every single day. We're virtually going into three, four, five states a day.”
So, between the media’s swooning for the Obamas (more so than the Bidens) and these confidence-lacking questions from Holt, there are concerning signs compounding against the Biden campaign.
Lester Holt’s refusal to press Jill Biden on her cheating scandal was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Amazon, Ensure, and Prevagen. Their contact information is linked if you want to tell them about what they’re funding.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
August 20, 2020
7:08:15 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: And for more on Joe Biden's speech, we are joined now by his wife Dr. Jill Biden. Dr. Biden, thank you for being with us today.
JILL BIDEN: You're welcome. Thanks for having me on.
HOLT: I don't know if the Vice President lets you peek over his shoulder or if you’re part of the writing process, but to the extent you can, can you give us a preview of what his message and themes will be tonight?
BIDEN: Sure. I mean, what you are going to feel tonight is you are going to feel Joe's optimism, his energy, his empathy, you know, all of those things. But I'm not -- but, Lester, you are going to have to watch.
HOLT: Okay, understand. Now, he has been known, as you know, sometimes to talk himself into corners, going off script and saying things that may divert from the message he wants to deliver. Is that something the two of you talk about, something you have anxiety about?
BIDEN: Oh, gosh no. You know, he knows exactly what he wants to say. He knows exactly where he wants to take this country. And that's what you are going to hear tonight.
HOLT: I think most people get the idea of having a virtual convention, owing of course to the virus but, you know, campaigns sometimes are won or lost in that ability to get out there to the battleground states, to meet people, to press the flesh. Have the two of you discussed your tolerance – your risk tolerance this campaign season for getting outside Delaware, getting out to some of the battleground states?
BIDEN: Well, you know, Lester, we are getting to thousands and thousands of people every single day. We're virtually going into three, four, five states a day. But, you know, we want nothing more than to be able to get out there and talk to the people. So, once the experts say it's safe, we're going to be out on the trail.
HOLT: All right. Well, Dr. Jill Biden, always great to talk to you. Thank you for taking the time for us today.
BIDEN: Thanks. Always love talking to you, Lester, thank you.
