TOPLINE: President Joe Biden has declined to participate in a pre-game interview on CBS ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl, marking the second consecutive year he has rejected such a request, following previous negotiations with Fox.
KEY FACTS:
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Paramount Global and White House officials had discussed the possibility of an interview with President Biden before the Super Bowl in recent weeks; however, the offer was recently turned down.
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It remains unclear whether CBS News had a specific correspondent in mind for the interview.
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President Biden has granted interviews to select CBS correspondents during his presidency, including Norah O’Donnell, Scott Pelley, Robert Costa, and Ed O’Keefe.
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There has been no immediate response from the White House to Forbes’ request for comment.
CRUCIAL QUOTE: “We hope viewers enjoy watching what they tuned in for—the game,” said White House spokesperson Ben LaBolt to Variety.
SURPRISING FACT: Biden follows the precedent set by former President Donald Trump, who, in 2018, refused to speak with NBC due to disputes over the network’s coverage of his administration and criticisms of the NFL’s handling of players kneeling during the national anthem.
KEY BACKGROUND: Presidential pre-game interviews before the Super Bowl began with former President George W. Bush in 2004, with Barack Obama continuing the tradition throughout his two terms starting in 2009. The format of these interviews varies, incorporating live and prerecorded segments with a mix of news anchors and morning show hosts. Last year, a disagreement between Fox Corporation and White House officials led to accusations of pulling out of an interview with Biden before the Super Bowl. Fox Soul, a streaming service aimed at Black audiences, was initially set to conduct the interview but was later canceled.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: With the Super Bowl being a premier media event in the United States, attracting over 100 million viewers in recent years, the absence of Biden’s pre-game interview is noteworthy. This year’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers is particularly anticipated, with pop superstar Taylor Swift expected to attend, adding to the excitement.