President Joe Biden’s announcement of his new status as a great-grandfather during a press event about the devastating Los Angeles wildfires has sparked significant criticism, particularly from media personalities like Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade.
The moment, coming at the end of a somber briefing alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom, struck many as an awkward and ill-timed diversion from the gravity of the unfolding crisis.
The Los Angeles fires have claimed at least five lives, destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, and prompted mass evacuations as Santa Ana winds continue to fuel the flames.
With the situation far from under control, the press conference was a critical moment for addressing public concerns, offering reassurances, and outlining the federal and state response. Instead, Biden closed his remarks by sharing his personal “good news” of becoming a great-grandfather that day.
Biden uses a California wildfire briefing to announce he’s a great-grandfather — making it all about himself, as usual. Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/vXYTsiEGqr
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 8, 2025
Biden’s comments, including his vague reference to the baby as “10 pounds, 4 ounces, baby girl-baby boy,” seemed out of sync with the event’s purpose. While the president appeared to acknowledge the gravity of the fires by saying, “I will remember this day for a lot of wrong reasons,” the pivot to personal news struck some as tone-deaf given the dire circumstances.
Brian Kilmeade was quick to criticize the president’s decision to share the family milestone in such a setting, calling it a glaring misstep.
“That statement would not be in any leadership books,” Kilmeade remarked, emphasizing that the public’s focus was on the lives lost and the devastation faced by thousands. He further lambasted Biden for failing to take questions from reporters, framing it as a disservice not only to the media but to the people affected by the fires.
Reactions have been mixed across the media spectrum. Some outlets have dismissed the criticism as partisan nitpicking, noting that leaders are allowed moments of personal humanity even in times of crisis. Others, however, have echoed Kilmeade’s sentiment, suggesting the president’s comment reflected a lack of situational awareness during a pivotal moment.
