Transcript - Interview: Stephanie Ruhle of MSNBC Interviews Joe Biden for 'The 11th Hour' - May 5, 2023 | Factba.se

Note

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

[The following transcript was provided by MSNBC. It has been lightly edited to correct minor errors. Sections edited from the interview as broadcast are noted both in the transcript and in the video. Video and transcript courtesy and copyright MSNBC.]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:00:00 - 00:00:22 ()

Mr. President, there is a lot we can cover, but I want to start with maybe your most ambitious agenda item, and that's your infrastructure plan. This is something you have wanted to do for decades, rebuild America, bring jobs back, but it's going to take time to implement it. People haven't seen it. A year from now, what will Americans see?

Joe Biden

00:00:22 - 00:00:45 ()

Well, they're going to see bridges that didn't exist before, that were shut down. You're going to see -- for example, you're going to be able to get an Amtrak and instead of going through the tunnel of Baltimore at 30 miles an hour because nothing's been done under the Chesapeake Bay for -- under the Baltimore river -- the Baltimore area for 80 years, they're going to be able to go at 100 -- through it at 100 miles an hour.

Joe Biden

00:00:45 - 00:01:08 ()

We're going to -- they're going to going to see more -- they're going to see railroads going from Syracuse to -- down -- all the way down to New York -- Upstate New York. Anyway -- to -- to the city. But I guess what I'm saying, what I think that we're going to see is movement. How can we be the most successful economy in the world without the first-rate infrastructure?

Joe Biden

00:01:08 - 00:01:22 ()

We used to be number one in the world. Now we're number 13. It's just bizarre. But now we got -- not many, but we got something, a total of 45 Republicans in the House and Senate to vote for it and we got it passed.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:01:22 - 00:01:40 ()

You have a very strong economic recovery story to tell. However, in less than four weeks, the government's going to run out of money, and so many of these economic wins could fall by the wayside. As president, what are you going to do to help us avoid default?

Joe Biden

00:01:40 - 00:02:06 ()

Look, not a single solitary Congress has ever reneged on a debt. The debt is not a debt that I accumulated. The debt is not a debt that occurred over the last several years. It's 200 years of debt. 200 years. And the idea that we wouldn't pay our debt is just bizarre. It's estimated that if we didn't pay the debt, we'd lose 750,000 jobs. We'd have a recession. It would be a disaster.

Joe Biden

00:02:06 - 00:02:24 ()

And the idea someone for the first time is saying, unless you pass this ridiculous budget I have, which is the way I would characterize what the Republican MAGA budget is -- unless you pass this budget, we're not going to increase the debt limit and we're going to go bankrupt.

Joe Biden

00:02:24 - 00:02:49 ()

We're -- we're going to -- the United States of America is going to renege for the first time in history on its debt. And this can't -- no one's ever tied them together before. I've said to the Republican Leader, here's the deal: take the debt limit, pass it like you did four, three times when Trump was president, and he increased the whole national debt for 200 years by 40 percent, and --

Stephanie Ruhle

00:02:49 - 00:02:58 ()

Republicans would argue and that -- though, that Donald Trump at the very least, they would say, played ball. You're not willing to play ball, they would say.

Joe Biden

00:02:58 - 00:03:31 ()

Play ball? Play ball? What? [Laughs] He ballooned the debt. He created unemployment -- look, when I came to office, we had incredibly high unemployment, we were in a situation where we were -- had very little movement on anything going on -- unemploy -- and look at the employment rate now. Just today, 250,000 new jobs, highest participation in 75 years of women in the job market, the lowest unemployment rate for African Americans. Things are moving.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:03:31 - 00:03:41 ()

As I said, you have a very strong economic recovery story, but this is a very volatile Congress. There are members of Congress that might be okay with us defaulting --

Joe Biden

00:03:41 - 00:03:42 ()

Stephanie Ruhle

00:03:42 - 00:03:44 ()

-- because they think it could hurt you more politically.

Joe Biden

00:03:44 - 00:03:44 ()

Stephanie Ruhle

00:03:44 - 00:03:50 ()

Given that, are you prepared to invoke the 14th Amendment and blow through the debt ceiling?

Joe Biden

00:03:50 - 00:03:59 ()

I've not gotten there yet. And here's the deal, I think that -- first of all, this is not your father's Republican Party. This is a different --

Stephanie Ruhle

00:03:59 - 00:04:00 ()

Joe Biden

00:04:00 - 00:04:25 ()

-- a different group. And I think that we have to make it clear to the American people that I am prepared to negotiate in detail with their budget. How much are you going to spend? How much are you going to tax? Where can we cut? For example, in the first years of my administration, I cut the debt by $1.7 trillion, 1.7 -- more than anybody's ever done in history.

Joe Biden

00:04:25 - 00:04:39 ()

Their budget goes in and they -- there's no -- and there's no possibility they can pass their budget, zero. Zero possibility. They cut -- they cut 200 -- anyway, I won't -- I shouldn't get going on it, but --

Stephanie Ruhle

00:04:39 - 00:04:48 ()

When you say, though, this is not your father's Republican Party, is Kevin McCarthy an honest broker for you to negotiate with?

Joe Biden

00:04:48 - 00:05:18 ()

I think he's an honest man. I think he's in the position, though, he had to make a deal and that was pretty -- you know, 15 votes. [Laughs] 15 votes that where he -- just about sold away everything that he -- at the far, far right. There's the Republican Party and there's the MAGA Republicans, and the MAGA Republicans really have put him in a position where in order to stay Speaker he has to agree -- he's agreed to things that, maybe he believes, but are just extreme.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:05:18 - 00:05:26 ()

Given the power that they have, is there anything you believe you can get done in the next two years on a bipartisan basis, and if so, what?

Joe Biden

00:05:26 - 00:05:33 ()

The answer is yes, I do, if I get a chance to get votes. They have to vote. They have to vote on something.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:05:33 - 00:05:35 ()

What would you want them to vote on?

Joe Biden

00:05:35 - 00:05:57 ()

Well, I'd like them to vote on whether or not they're going to provide for enough teachers in America so we can educate our kids. I'd want -- because their budget proposal cuts 100,000 teachers, eliminates 100,000 teachers, and their help. I -- I want the vote on making sure we have enough police and FBI agents in America.

Joe Biden

00:05:57 - 00:06:28 ()

They're -- they -- they're cutting 28,000 federal agents, FBI, DEA and the rest of them. Why? They're making -- I want to make sure they guarantee that we're not going to be doing anything to eliminate Medicaid [emphasizes "caid"] support for people. They cut their -- oh -- millions of Americans are being put in jeopardy. For example, one of the things that I think we've talked about is what I was able to do with regard to, I mean, Medicare, be able to negotiate drug prices.

Joe Biden

00:06:28 - 00:06:54 ()

It cuts the federal deficit by $160 billion, $200 billion over the life of this plan. They want to eliminate it. They want to eliminate it. You know why it cuts it? Instead of having to pay the recipient for -- that needs insulin 400 bucks a month, they only have to pay now 6 -- excuse me, $35 a month because it only cost them 10 bucks to make it.

Joe Biden

00:06:54 - 00:07:01 ()

Now that we can negotiate it. They want to eliminate that. So they want to cost the federal government more money and keep people in debt.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:07:01 - 00:07:04 ()

You're talking about real, practical solutions --

Joe Biden

00:07:04 - 00:07:05 ()

Stephanie Ruhle

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

-- when you reference insulin that -- that you've come up. Why do you think you don't get more credit for it? Why do you think your polling is where it is?

Joe Biden

00:07:11 - 00:07:17 ()

Well, I don't think people -- by the way, every major one who won re-election, their polling numbers were where mine are now.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:07:17 - 00:07:18 ()

Put polling aside then, right? [Crosstalk]

Joe Biden

00:07:18 - 00:07:19 ()

So that -- so -- but --

Stephanie Ruhle

00:07:19 - 00:07:22 ()

Sentiment in this country, despite all these wins, is not very good.

Joe Biden

00:07:22 - 00:07:46 ()

No. No, I did -- I did -- all they've heard is negative news for years. Everything is negative. And I'm not being critical of the press. If you turn on the television, the only way you're going to get a hit is if there's something negative. You know, you don't -- anyway, that's number one. But number two, I think we're in a situation where you have much of what we were able to do only is going to come into -- come into play now.

Joe Biden

00:07:46 - 00:08:07 ()

For example, I met today -- I set up what they call a -- a second cabinet. Within my cabinet, I have an enforcement group. They're the ones going out and making sure that we're getting the roads built and the highways built and getting the lead pipes out of every neighborhood for -- so people aren't dying or getting very sick.

Joe Biden

00:08:07 - 00:08:32 ()

They're the ones who are making sure that people begin to know what's happened and what's happening. It's going to take time to get this done. And so, until we -- unless we can make it clear to the American people what it is that we've actually done -- it's one thing to say we're going to rebuild this bridge that's in the process of collapsing, other thing to actually get it built -- get it built. And that's all just starting.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:08:32 - 00:08:52 ()

Well, you've made it clear to the American people that you want to stay in this job. You've officially announced you're running for re-election, and in your first video you feature Vice President Harris 10 times. When Obama was in that position, he didn't mention you, sir. What are you trying to tell us?

Joe Biden

00:08:52 - 00:09:18 ()

Well, President Obama and I became very good friends. I -- we just had a slightly different style of how we do things. As you recall, every major initiative President Obama had, I was the last guy in the room deciding that -- I'm giving him advice what we should do. And he's committed to helping in any way he can this time around.

Joe Biden

00:09:18 - 00:09:35 ()

But look, I just think that Vice President Harris hasn't gotten the credit she deserves. She was Attorney General of the state of California. She has been a United State senator. She is really very, very good. And with everything going on, she hasn't gotten the attention she deserves.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:09:35 - 00:09:41 ()

Critics would say you're elevating her because they think you wouldn't serve a full term.

Joe Biden

00:09:41 - 00:09:42 ()

Stephanie Ruhle

00:09:42 - 00:09:52 ()

And it is fair to say that there's not a Fortune 500 company in the world looking to hire a CEO in his 80s. So why would an 82-year-old Joe Biden be the right person for the most important job in the world?

Joe Biden

00:09:52 - 00:10:03 ()

Because I have acquired a hell of a lot of wisdom and know more than the vast majority of people. And I'm more experienced than anybody that's ever run for the office, and I think I've proven myself to be honorable as well as also effective.

Note

00:10:03 - 00:10:03 ()

[Begin section edited from interview as broadcast]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:10:03 - 00:10:06 ()

[No Audio or video] You are also sending 1,500 troops --

Unidentified

00:10:06 - 00:10:06 ()

[No Audio or video, off microphone, inaudible]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:10:06 - 00:10:09 ()

[No Audio or video] All right. Can I ask you one more then, quickly? Just one more?

Unidentified

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

[No Audio or video, off microphone, inaudible]

Stephanie Ruhle

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

[No Audio or video] Just one more quickly. [Crosstalk]

Joe Biden

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

[No Audio or video] Let her do it. Let her do it.

Stephanie Ruhle

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

[No Audio or video] Yes?

Joe Biden

00:10:12 - 00:10:20 ()

[No Audio or video] Yeah.

Note

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

[End section edited from interview as broadcast]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:10:20 - 00:10:36 ()

You're sending 1,500 troops to the border. People on the left criticize and say it's inhumane. People on the right say you're not putting American priorities first, and employers around this country are saying we need more workers; this is an economic issue.

Joe Biden

00:10:36 - 00:10:37 ()

Stephanie Ruhle

00:10:37 - 00:10:42 ()

Have you given up on Congress doing anything? And, if so, is there something you can do to address it?

Joe Biden

00:10:42 - 00:11:01 ()

Yes, there is. Number one, the first I ever introduced was to reform the -- the system that we have for immigration, number one. Number two, we're in a situation now where those 1,500 put at the border, they're not there to enforce the law, they're there to free up the border agents that need to be on the border.

Joe Biden

00:11:01 - 00:11:21 ()

And we're having another thousand people coming in. There are asylum judges to make judgments, to move things along. I've asked this Congress for help in terms of what they need at the border. They need more agents. They need more people to clear people. They need more action to -- for example, we need these farm workers.

Joe Biden

00:11:21 - 00:11:40 ()

They're badly needed. There has to be a legal pathway to citizenship. The idea DREAMers are still not being treated -- you know, I -- I love the way they talk about DREAMers. Can you imagine, you're a fi -- 6-year-old kid and mom says, we're crossing the Rio Grande, you say, no, mom, leave me here. I'm not -- I'm going to be -- I'll be all right. Come on.

Joe Biden

00:11:40 - 00:12:08 ()

So there's so much that we can do and are going to do because, for example, I've worked out a very good relationship with AMLO, the president of Mexico. We're in a situation now where we're going to set up the ability for people to go into -- countries they want to leave, to go into an American facility to determine whether they qualify as a refugee, whether they qualify for asylum, whether they qualify for temporary work order. Speeding things up.

Joe Biden

00:12:08 - 00:12:21 ()

And so, there's a combination of making sure there's a system by which it's orderly and, number two, we -- where employers have access to additional people, particularly farm workers.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:12:21 - 00:12:35 ()

I know -- [Crosstalk] -- you believe in the American dream, and you talk about fighting for the soul of America. But we can level-set in terms of the soul of America? Right now hate crimes are on the rise, random acts of gun violence --

Unidentified

00:12:35 - 00:12:35 ()

[Off microphone, inaudible]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:12:35 - 00:12:37 ()

-- women are under attack. Mr. President?

Joe Biden

00:12:37 - 00:12:38 ()

[Responding to unidentified person] I'll -- I'll do one.

Joe Biden

00:12:38 - 00:12:46 ()

The answer is yes, because that's why we can't let -- we cannot let this election be one where the same man who was president four years ago becomes president again. Look, the last -- [Crosstalk]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:12:46 - 00:12:46 ()

What's the difference between the two of you?

Joe Biden

00:12:46 - 00:12:46 ()

Everything. Everything. Everything.

Note

00:12:46 - 00:12:46 ()

[Begin section edited from interview as broadcast]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:12:46 - 00:12:48 ()

[No Audio or video] You're also facing something personal. And while there's no ties to you, your own son could be charged by your Department of Justice.

Unidentified

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

[No Audio or video, off microphone, inaudible]

Stephanie Ruhle

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

[No Audio or video] How -- how will that impact your presidency?

Joe Biden

00:12:49 - 00:12:51 ()

[No Audio or video] It will not because he has done nothing wrong. And I'm proud of him. [Crosstalk]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:12:51 - 00:13:07 ()

[No Audio or video] Just -- since they were talking, sir, just -- can I ask you that again? Because the -- you gave your answer, but our audio was messed up. Can I just ask you that again? You don't have to answer. If I may?

Note

00:13:07 - 00:13:07 ()

[End section edited from interview as broadcast]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:13:07 - 00:13:14 ()

Sir, there is something personal that's affecting you. Your son, while there's no ties to you, could be charged by your Department of Justice.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:13:14 - 00:13:16 ()

How will that impact your presidency?

Joe Biden

00:13:16 - 00:13:25 ()

First of all, my son has done nothing wrong. I trust him. I have faith in him. It impacts my presidency by making me feel proud of him.

Note

00:13:25 - 00:13:26 ()

[There is a break in the interview here. The interview continues in a walk to the Rose Garden.]

Joe Biden

00:13:26 - 00:13:28 ()

Welcome to the Rose Garden.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:13:28 - 00:13:30 ()

Is this a dream come true to live here?

Joe Biden

00:13:30 - 00:13:34 ()

It's a dream come true to be president. But living here is a different tact.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:13:34 - 00:13:38 ()

You did not go to England this weekend for the coronation.

Joe Biden

00:13:38 - 00:13:44 ()

No, I didn't. But I did speak to the king. He's a good acquaintance, and we've worked together on environmental issues [Crosstalk]

Stephanie Ruhle

00:13:44 - 00:13:45 ()

What did you tell him?

Joe Biden

00:13:45 - 00:13:51 ()

Well I told him I couldn't be here because I had this going on. And was you know, who knows what's going to happen in the next --

Stephanie Ruhle

00:13:51 - 00:13:56 ()

Oh, you're interviewing with me? That's why you told him you couldn't go to the Coronation?

Joe Biden

00:13:56 - 00:14:08 ()

I told him I was with you. But and we're going to be going to a NATO conference in Europe, -- uh -- and I told him I'd stop there either on the way there or on the way back to discuss what he really is passionate about: the environment.

Stephanie Ruhle

00:14:08 - 00:14:14 ()

What are you passionate about? Because right now people are saying what do you have that this country needs?

Joe Biden

00:14:14 - 00:14:16 ()

I'm passionate about the people I grew up with getting an even shot. I really mean it.

Joe Biden

00:14:16 - 00:14:23 ()

[No audio or video] I mean, you know, the people I represented as a public defender.