Hillary Clinton's team reportedly encouraged President Biden to appear on 'The Howard Stern Show,' as revealed by the show's producer this week. This move came after Clinton had declined opportunities to speak with Stern during her 2016 campaign.
The surprise appearance of President Biden on Stern's live show last Friday covered a range of topics, focusing more on personal anecdotes rather than serious policy discussions. Biden shared stories about his football days, family life, lifeguard experience, and his first campaign for the U.S. Senate.
The executive producer of the show, Gary Dell’Abate, disclosed that the interview had been in the works for four years, with Clinton playing a supportive role in suggesting that a Stern interview could benefit Biden during an election year.
Stern, a vocal supporter of Clinton, had previously attempted to book her during her presidential campaign in 2016 but was unsuccessful. However, Clinton eventually appeared on his show in 2019, sparking speculation about her potential 2020 plans.
Reflecting on Biden's appearance, Stern expressed his hope that the interview showcased Biden's 'humanity' to the audience. He described the conversation as natural and moving, emphasizing the honor of having an hour-long discussion with the sitting President of the United States.
Biden's decision to speak with Stern comes amid criticism for avoiding more serious interviews with mainstream media outlets. Critics have pointed out his limited press conferences and sit-down interviews with independent journalists compared to his predecessors.
Addressing the criticism, Biden joked about his choice of interview platforms at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, mentioning his conversations with 'strong independent journalists' like Howard Stern.
While the White House declined to comment on the matter, representatives for Clinton did not respond to inquiries from sources.
