US President Joe Biden has been caught on camera calling a Fox News reporter a “stupid son of a b****”.
The hot mic moment came after Fox News’ Peter Doocy shouted out the president: “Do you think inflation is a political liability ahead of the midterms?" as he was ushered out of a press conference.
Inflation is at a nearly 40 year high, and has hit Mr Biden’s ratings.
He was heard responding sarcastically: "It's a great asset - more inflation." Shaking his head, he added: “What a stupid son of a b****."
Mr Doocy, the White House correspondent for Fox News, has become known for his sharply antagonist relationship with Mr Biden and his press team.
He laughed it off in a subsequent appearance on Fox News, joking: "Nobody has fact-checked him yet and said it's not true."
The reporter told Fox News’ anchor Sean Hannity that Mr Biden had later called him to clear the air. He said the President told him: “It’s nothing personal, pal”.
It is not the first time Mr Biden has clashed with the White House correspondent.
At his news conference last week, Mr Biden said to Doocy with sarcasm: "You always ask me the nicest questions."
"I have a whole binder full," the reporter answered.
"I know you do," Mr Biden said. "None of them make a lot of sense to me.”
The President has shown increasing signs of frustration when fielding questions from reporters, particularly those from the right-wing Fox News.
Last week, Mr Biden, 79, criticised a question put to him by the channel’s reporter, Jacqui Heinrich.
At a press conference on Thursday, she asked about Ukraine: “Why are you waiting on Putin to make the first move, sir?”
Mr Biden responded: “What a stupid question”.
