Biden anger toward 'elites' in MSNBC interview raises eyebrows

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On an MSNBC program that's a favorite of the Washington and New York liberal establishment, President Biden blasted "elites" in the Democratic Party on Monday who are trying to force him out of the 2024 race. And some critics and media observers sympathetic to him aren't buying it.

As he wrapped up a lengthy phone-in interview on "Morning Joe," Biden challenged his own party doubters as he emphatically declared he was staying in the 2024 race.

"I’m getting so frustrated by the elites," he told MSNBC hosts and Biden supporters Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. "Now I’m not talking about you guys, but by the elites in the party who — they know so much more. If any of these guys don’t think I should run, run against me. Go ahead, announce for president. Challenge me at the convention."

Earlier in the interview, Brzezinski name-dropped outlets who want him to step aside amid concerns about his viability against former President Trump, such as The New York Times, The Economist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe. There have also been some House Democrats who have called for him to not seek re-election, as well as prominent liberal names like Tim Ryan, James Carville and David Axelrod.

"They're big names, but I don't care what those big names think!" Biden said. "They were wrong in 2020! They were wrong in 2022 about the red wave! They’re wrong in 2024! Come out with me, watch people react. You make a judgment!"

NBC's Chuck Todd was skeptical about Biden's rhetoric afterward, noting that Biden had sailed to the Democratic nomination without a serious challenger. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., voiced concerns about Biden's age and health as part of his primary campaign, but he never remotely threatened the president's chances of winning the nomination.

"Biden’s anger at ‘elites’ is a bit misplaced," Todd wrote on X. "Without the ‘elites,’ he would have had a serious primary foe. Without the ‘elites,’ the No Labels effort would have a compelling ticket. Arguably, it’s the 'elites' who put too much faith in Biden that got the Dems in this position."