Transcript - Interview: Drew Barrymore Interviews Joe Biden and Jill Biden for Her Show - December 19, 2022 | Factba.se

Drew Barrymore

00:00:00 - 00:00:12 ()

Would you say that you're a good gift giver to Dr. Biden? Has he ever surprised you with something that really did surprise you?

Jill Biden

00:00:12 - 00:00:23 ()

Well, one thing that Joe gives me every year is a poem, which is -- I knew you'd love that. He has a book that he bought for me, and every year he writes a poem.

Drew Barrymore

00:00:23 - 00:00:24 ()

You personally write the poem?

Joe Biden

00:00:24 - 00:00:29 ()

Of course, I do. There's a lot to write about.

Drew Barrymore

00:00:29 - 00:00:35 ()

Because there's no better present than one that's made, you know, the one you can't buy.

Joe Biden

00:00:35 - 00:00:45 ()

But that doesn't quite do it. It helps. But I have -- I really enjoy shopping for Jill for gifts. But --

Jill Biden

00:00:45 - 00:00:50 ()

But he also gave me a rose garden for my birthday one year. A full rose garden.

Drew Barrymore

00:00:50 - 00:00:51 ()

Jill Biden

00:00:51 - 00:00:52 ()

I love that gift.

Drew Barrymore

00:00:52 - 00:00:55 ()

How are you feeling about your gift this year?

Joe Biden

00:00:55 - 00:00:56 ()

Jill Biden

00:00:56 - 00:00:56 ()

Joe Biden

00:00:56 - 00:00:57 ()

But I can't tell her.

Drew Barrymore

00:00:57 - 00:01:00 ()

No, of course not. But I like the confidence.

Joe Biden

00:01:00 - 00:01:01 ()

It's a surprise.

Jill Biden

00:01:01 - 00:01:02 ()

He pretty much gets it right.

Drew Barrymore

00:01:02 - 00:01:03 ()

Joe Biden

00:01:03 - 00:01:07 ()

Pretty much gets it right. Listen to that. Jesus, yeah.

Drew Barrymore

00:01:07 - 00:01:09 ()

That's an eight out of 10.

Joe Biden

00:01:09 - 00:01:11 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:01:11 - 00:01:12 ()

Joe Biden

00:01:12 - 00:01:16 ()

Everybody knows I love her more than she loves me.

Drew Barrymore

00:01:16 - 00:01:25 ()

Well, I actually need to ask about the five proposals. Is it true you proposed five times? And what was it that finally won her over?

Joe Biden

00:01:25 - 00:01:46 ()

I don't know what finally -- I think I know what finally won her over. But when I, in the accident, lost my first family -- part of my first family, my first wife, I was put on that 10 most eligible bachelors list. And some of the things that came across [inaudible] were like I had to give to the FBI, you know, any route.

Joe Biden

00:01:46 - 00:02:00 ()

The bottom line was I had just given up on going out with anyone. And my brother set us up on a blind date, my youngest brother. And when I went out with her the first time, I knew this was the woman. I really did.

Drew Barrymore

00:02:00 - 00:02:02 ()

So, you believe in love at first sight?

Joe Biden

00:02:02 - 00:02:02 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:02:02 - 00:02:03 ()

On the first night?

Joe Biden

00:02:03 - 00:02:25 ()

Only twice in my life have I ever fallen in love. And both times were -- I knew immediately. I'm not joking. I know that sounds bizarre, but I once asked her. I said, "How can you" -- when she finally agreed to marry me, "How can you marry me knowing how much I love my first wife?" She said, "Because you love that deeply, you can love that way again." I'll never forget it.

Joe Biden

00:02:25 - 00:02:29 ()

And that made me realize -- and by the way, you know how we finally got it right?

Drew Barrymore

00:02:29 - 00:02:31 ()

Yeah. What was it?

Joe Biden

00:02:31 - 00:02:48 ()

It was my boys. Our boys -- were young, and they came in and said, "Dad" -- and Hunt turned to Beau and said, "Beau, you tell him." "Oh, no, you tell him, Hunt." I said, "What's the matter, guys?" Beau finally said, "Dad, we're talking. We think we should marry Jill." Swear to God.

Drew Barrymore

00:02:48 - 00:02:51 ()

How old were they at this point?

Joe Biden

00:02:51 - 00:02:53 ()

They were six and seven.

Jill Biden

00:02:53 - 00:02:53 ()

Joe Biden

00:02:53 - 00:03:03 ()

But I had to ask her five times. As the fifth time, I was in South Africa trying to see Nelson Mandela. We returned -- anyway, long story. I came home.

Drew Barrymore

00:03:03 - 00:03:05 ()

Was he still in prison at that point?

Joe Biden

00:03:05 - 00:03:08 ()

He was still in prison at that point.

Drew Barrymore

00:03:08 - 00:03:08 ()

Joe Biden

00:03:08 - 00:03:35 ()

And I came back and off the plane in Philadelphia, drove straight to her apartment, knocked on the door and said, "Oh, Joe, come on in." I said, "No." Said, "You got my Irish up." I said, "I'm asking you one more time." And I said, "You don't have to say when. But if, if you say no, I understand. And that's it." And I looked at her, I said, "Will you marry me?" She goes, "OK." Swear to God.

Joe Biden

00:03:35 - 00:03:46 ()

So, I -- later, after it was all over, I called my sister. I said, "What made her change her mind?" They were friends. She said, "She told me she fell in love with the boys."

Drew Barrymore

00:03:46 - 00:03:51 ()

What was it that finally said, "All right, this time it worked?"

Jill Biden

00:03:51 - 00:04:14 ()

Well, you know, I had to make absolutely sure that this marriage was going to work because they had lost their mother and they had lost their sister. And I knew that we -- it had to work because they had lost so much, and they had to feel secure that this marriage would work.

Joe Biden

00:04:14 - 00:04:34 ()

They fell in love with her, too, and I'm not joking. And it's not a joke. They decided we should marry Jill. It wasn't "You should marry," "We should marry Jill." And we got married at the U.N. Chapel. And in the chapel when we're sitting there, I said, "Who takes us?" And both of the boys got up and walked in the altar spontaneously.

Joe Biden

00:04:34 - 00:04:34 ()

Jill Biden

00:04:34 - 00:04:38 ()

Right. Came up onto the altar. So, we got married as a family.

Joe Biden

00:04:38 - 00:04:53 ()

No, but it wasn't planned. It was spontaneous. They both got up and walked in, and we both were surprised and pleased. And we spent our honeymoon night together, all four of us. We went to see the play "Annie."

Jill Biden

00:04:53 - 00:05:00 ()

Yeah. We went to see "Annie."

Joe Biden

00:05:00 - 00:05:09 ()

She's also my best friend. For real. You can tell her anything. She's got a backbone like a ramrod. She does. You don't want to mess with me with this woman and --

Drew Barrymore

00:05:09 - 00:05:13 ()

Give me strength. Give me humor. And I know we can get somewhere together.

Joe Biden

00:05:13 - 00:05:22 ()

Well, she's got both of them. I'm usually the brunt of her humor, though. And the boys love her making fun of me. I am the --

Drew Barrymore

00:05:22 - 00:05:26 ()

Of course, they do. Who wants to grow up in a serious household?

Jill Biden

00:05:26 - 00:05:26 ()

Joe Biden

00:05:26 - 00:05:28 ()

That's right. Yeah.

Drew Barrymore

00:05:28 - 00:05:30 ()

We had to make fun of things and people.

Jill Biden

00:05:30 - 00:05:32 ()

And I have so much to work with.

Joe Biden

00:05:32 - 00:05:32 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:05:32 - 00:05:41 ()

I've spent my life in comedy. I will either try to make you laugh or I will be the brunt of the joke. As long as people are laughing, I'm happy.

Jill Biden

00:05:41 - 00:05:43 ()

And that's good.

Joe Biden

00:05:43 - 00:05:45 ()

I'd prefer it was not always about me, though.

Drew Barrymore

00:05:45 - 00:06:01 ()

Well, I've definitely been the butt of a lot of jokes. You know, sometimes I'm watching "Saturday Night Live" and I'm, like, enjoying myself and lost in it. And then I'll come on and I'll be like, "Well, this really breaks that fourth wall I found then. All right." And by the way, if you can't laugh at yourself, oh, my God.

Drew Barrymore

00:06:01 - 00:06:01 ()

Joe Biden

00:06:01 - 00:06:01 ()

Jill Biden

00:06:01 - 00:06:03 ()

That's true. That's true.

Joe Biden

00:06:03 - 00:06:04 ()

Especially in the business we're in.

Drew Barrymore

00:06:04 - 00:06:05 ()

Jill Biden

00:06:05 - 00:06:06 ()

Joe Biden

00:06:06 - 00:06:06 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:06:06 - 00:06:07 ()

Jill Biden

00:06:07 - 00:06:07 ()

Joe Biden

00:06:07 - 00:06:08 ()

Jill Biden

00:06:08 - 00:06:09 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:06:09 - 00:06:32 ()

Well, I have actually -- I thought so much about this, but I love that you have opened yourself up and given room and space for people to acknowledge the real journey of life. And for me, it brings me in to the humanity and the personal more than anybody else. And that's attributed to you, too. And I thank you both for that.

Jill Biden

00:06:32 - 00:06:33 ()

Joe Biden

00:06:33 - 00:06:49 ()

Well, you know, I think of all the people, all the heroes. I mean this from the bottom of my heart. People say, "Well, you went through a lot, the losses you've had, etc." But I was lucky. I had family. I got Jill. I got her sister. No, for real.

Drew Barrymore

00:06:49 - 00:06:50 ()

I believe that.

Joe Biden

00:06:50 - 00:07:10 ()

For real. But think of all the heroes get up every morning. Every morning put one foot in front of the other and keep moving and keep moving. They have nobody. The staff -- doesn't anymore -- they used to kid me because I find myself stopping to talk to people who, you can just tell, are down.

Drew Barrymore

00:07:10 - 00:07:11 ()

Joe Biden

00:07:11 - 00:07:35 ()

And I say, "Come on, you're hurt." But it's not -- I mean, I think of the people who -- when things were really down for me when I got the news, how they just -- the little things, the little tiny things, just reaching out. I mean, literally just saying, "Hi, how are you?" And --

Drew Barrymore

00:07:35 - 00:07:40 ()

I believe you were that person. I believe you were that person. And it's so --

Joe Biden

00:07:40 - 00:07:58 ()

I'll tell you a real quick story. One of the things my dad -- when he was up in Philadelphia, he was in his late 70s, he was still working full time. I went up to see him, I was a US senator, and I was -- I had to be in Philly and we're going to go to a restaurant to lunch. And I had two of my staff with me, were heading to lunch, who knew my dad well.

Joe Biden

00:07:58 - 00:08:16 ()

And a guy walked across the street and said, "Hey, buddy, can you spare a dime," in effect, to ask for help. And I don't know why I said it, because I had a friend who used to joke and I said, "I'm working this side of the street." My father stopped dead. The only thing my father never once raised his hand.

Joe Biden

00:08:16 - 00:08:35 ()

And it was with a devastating thing he said to me twice in my life, "You disappoint me." And he turned around. My dad did make money, took out his wallet. He had 40 bucks cash in it, and he hands it to the guy. And I said, "Dad, I'm sorry." He said, "I can't believe it. I can't believe what you did. I can't believe it." I said, "But, Daddy, he's going to go by." And he looked at me.

Joe Biden

00:08:35 - 00:08:45 ()

He said, "Do you think he'd be doing -- if he had any other choice, he'd be doing something like it?" That was my dad. That's the only time in my whole life I did that. I don't know why I did it.

Drew Barrymore

00:08:45 - 00:09:14 ()

Well, maybe you need those moments to just remind you to keep being that empathic person. You know, this holiday season, it's 2022. We're coming to the close of a year. A good year, a fantastic year. A year with so much hope, so much being able to work. The thing that's also so synonymous with you is to being able to work with everybody, which is so much a part of what so many of us want.

Drew Barrymore

00:09:14 - 00:09:20 ()

And for those who want that and believe in it, you are a beacon. And I've always been a beacon of hope with that.

Joe Biden

00:09:20 - 00:09:20 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:09:20 - 00:09:24 ()

Some people have holidays that are difficult. Some people --

Joe Biden

00:09:24 - 00:09:32 ()

Reach out. Just reach out. Let people know you care about them. I mean, bring them -- literally bring them to your table. I mean --

Jill Biden

00:09:32 - 00:09:35 ()

Acts of kindness.

Joe Biden

00:09:35 - 00:09:48 ()

I mean, it just -- it makes a world of difference.

Drew Barrymore

00:09:48 - 00:10:10 ()

Well, Mr. President and Dr. Biden, I actually was wondering if I could play my favorite game with you on the show. It's called The Final Five. But this is a very special edition because in this case, Dr. Biden has already seen the questions and she knows what they are. So, the question is, is Mr. President actually going to get the answers correct?

Drew Barrymore

00:10:10 - 00:10:14 ()

Although a little bit of the old newlywed game style. Would you play with me?

Jill Biden

00:10:14 - 00:10:15 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:10:15 - 00:10:19 ()

OK. It's the beautiful special edition of The Final Five.

Jill Biden

00:10:19 - 00:10:20 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:10:20 - 00:10:24 ()

Jill's favorite room in the house. Do you know what it is?

Joe Biden

00:10:24 - 00:10:38 ()

Well, actually, I don't think it's in the house. It's on the house, the Truman balcony, I think. Outside, it looks over the -- yo!

Drew Barrymore

00:10:38 - 00:10:51 ()

Oki dokie. Number one, got it. Ding. Number two, when Dr. Biden is starving and wants to be a little naughty, what snack does she get from the White House kitchen?

Joe Biden

00:10:51 - 00:10:52 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:10:52 - 00:11:02 ()

I said snack. I don't want you to lose this one. A snack.

Joe Biden

00:11:02 - 00:11:05 ()

Probably something with avocado in it.

Jill Biden

00:11:05 - 00:11:07 ()

Joe Biden

00:11:07 - 00:11:08 ()

Oh, french fries.

Drew Barrymore

00:11:08 - 00:11:10 ()

Joe Biden

00:11:10 - 00:11:15 ()

But I think you consider wine a snack, too.

Drew Barrymore

00:11:15 - 00:11:22 ()

Who doesn't, by the way? If Dr. Biden has a free Friday night, does she want to go out or stay in?

Joe Biden

00:11:22 - 00:11:27 ()

She used to want to go out. I think she'd rather stay in these days.

Drew Barrymore

00:11:27 - 00:11:32 ()

That's two, correct?

Jill Biden

00:11:32 - 00:11:33 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:11:33 - 00:11:42 ()

And I am with you. I like to stay home and watch movies and eat takeout and be with my animals and my remote controls and the kids go snuggle up.

Jill Biden

00:11:42 - 00:11:44 ()

Yeah, cozy. Yeah.

Drew Barrymore

00:11:44 - 00:11:49 ()

Yeah, exactly. If FLOTUS could change one of your habits, do you know what it would be?

Joe Biden

00:11:49 - 00:11:51 ()

Jill Biden

00:11:51 - 00:11:52 ()

I agree with that.

Joe Biden

00:11:52 - 00:12:03 ()

I don't know what the hell was in there. I think I think one of the habits would be to not talk to everybody I see.

Jill Biden

00:12:03 - 00:12:06 ()

Joe Biden

00:12:06 - 00:12:08 ()

Jill Biden

00:12:08 - 00:12:15 ()

That's true. He leaves a light on. He wants to -- he keeps reading. This is true.

Drew Barrymore

00:12:15 - 00:12:31 ()

Mr. President, can I just tell you my daughters pulled me aside the other day and they said, "Could you stop talking to people as much? Or if you're going to, because we understand it's important to you, could you edit and keep it shorter?"

Joe Biden

00:12:31 - 00:12:32 ()

I've been told that my whole life.

Jill Biden

00:12:32 - 00:12:36 ()

You two are soulmates.

Joe Biden

00:12:36 - 00:12:37 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:12:37 - 00:12:45 ()

This was three nights ago. So, the last question is who said "I love you" first?

Joe Biden

00:12:45 - 00:12:48 ()

Oh, that's easy. Me. I said it first.

Jill Biden

00:12:48 - 00:12:49 ()

Joe Biden

00:12:49 - 00:12:54 ()

I said it first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th.

Drew Barrymore

00:12:54 - 00:13:10 ()

And it worked. Well, Mr. President and Dr. Biden, I think that it's a good time and a good year right now. And we are going into the holidays. And I'm a voracious news junkie, and I watch the news every day all night long. I [Inaudible]

Jill Biden

00:13:10 - 00:13:12 ()

Drew Barrymore

00:13:12 - 00:13:39 ()

I am so aware of everything and I feel so good. The marriage equality and, you know, bringing Brittney Griner home, parties working alongside of each other, an election that was functional and kept temperatures down. I am so excited and I'm looking back at 2022 with such fondness. And as you're going into 2023, I just hope for you for the very best.

Drew Barrymore

00:13:39 - 00:13:45 ()

And I thank you for creating that feeling around for everybody.

Joe Biden

00:13:45 - 00:13:49 ()

Giving me more credit than I deserve, but thank you for saying that.

Drew Barrymore

00:13:49 - 00:13:53 ()

Well, it's how I truly feel. And I'm honored to have the opportunity to tell you that. Thank you so much for your time.

Jill Biden

00:13:53 - 00:13:54 ()

Joe Biden

00:13:54 - 00:13:57 ()

I don't want to go.