Speaking to reporters at a White House event with economy advisers yesterday, the president sowed confusion when he made the surprise announcement that he was holding “a major press conference” in the afternoon.

No press conference was on the schedule and, barring national crises or shockingly new, big events, presidential press conferences are always announced far – usually days – in advance.

Biden, who has been criticised for the scarcity of his press conferences, finished his meeting with his advisers.

He then whipped out into Washington to mark Cinco de Mayo, an annual celebration in the US-Latino community, by buying tacos.

And the major press conference?

It never happened.

According to a source familiar with the gaffe, Biden had really been referring – or wanted to refer – to an interview already scheduled to air on MSNBC News late yesterday evening. – AFP, May 6, 2023.