Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

South Lawn

9:30 A.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, can the country afford the port strike?  Can the country afford these ships to stay off (inaudible)?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think we’re making progress on that.

Q    How much progress, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’ll find out soon.

Q    What kind of sanctions —

Q    Any updates on —

Q    What kind of sanctions are you considering on Iran?  What kind of sanctions are you considering?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll tell them before I tell you.

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

Q    Any updates on the hostages — on the hostages in Gaza, sir?

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, he didn’t.  And, by the way, the other guy lost the debate.  He misrepresented everything, including — anyway, I —

Q    Sir — the hostages in Gaza, sir.  The hostages in Gaza.  Do you have any updates on them?

THE PRESIDENT:  Not — not right now.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Would you support Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re in discussion of that.  I think — I think that would be a little — anyway.

Q    Do you believe that Donald Trump was acting as a private candidate and not as president when he sought to overturn the 2020 election, as Jack Smith laid out in his filing?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll let Jack Smith make that case.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    (Inaudible) response to the retaliation?  Will you let Israel retaliate?  What are the plans to allow Israel to strike back against Iran?

THE PRESIDENT:  First of all, we don’t allow Israel.  We advise Israel.  And there’s nothing going to happen today.  We’ll talk about that later.

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to sit down with President Putin to discuss international security?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m sorry?

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to discuss international security and Ukraine with Putin?

THE PRESIDENT:  I doubt whether Putin will show up.

Q    Are you surprised the race between Harris and Trump is so close right now?  Are you surprised?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m not.  It always gets this close.  She’s going to do fine.

9:32 A.M. EDT

From title: THE WHITE HOUSE
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