Heather Cox Richardson's Interview with President Biden

Historian Heather Cox Richardson sat down with President Biden last week in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court.
Heather posted the interview on her Facebook and Substack profiles and is sharing it here for the CAFE and Vox Media audience. Listen to this timely conversation between a historian and a president during a time of great upheaval, and as always, send us your thoughts and questions to [e-mail].
Listen to the full audio at: bit.ly/3IIzrJO

[@lucylove1655]

What a great interview. Gotta say that I love this president: love his values, his passion and compassion, his humility, his hopefulness, his energy. and his plan for the country.

[@laurenjohnson2577]

Hopefully u won't mind if I borrow your words u put so perfectly.....

[@Gess575]

Thank you! (ditto) I picked up on the humility when he told her she gave him more credit thank he deserved (in regards to be compared to other presidents). I actually trust he has a good heart.

[@Maddie9185]

I have agree wholeheartedly.

[@PhamPhuong-e6t]

Chào. Yêu. Tổng thống pháp lý cho. Yêu Bị bệnh Không. Nói được ). Con. Không. Làm gì. Đâu. Cầu. Nguyện xin Thiên chúa ban nhiều ơn lành. Yêu công giáo. Yêu cầu. Bác sĩ. Cứu. Nhiều người dân. Thế giới. Yêu. Nhiều. Tổng thống pháp lý cho cứu. 🌎🤲👩‍👩‍👧‍👧👏

[@andreaperry938]

💙

[@ronaldalanperry4875]

Not bad for a sleepy old man with Alzheimers. Seriously, this is the most thoughtful and inspiring conversation I've heard from ANY politician in some time. He's never was a great public speaker, and yes, he's old, but let's hear it for the wisdom and no-drama competence that comes from age and experience.

[@malenateves]

I’ll take wisdom and experience over the luster of youth any day.

[@mistayu]

OMG...thank you for curing my hiccups with that comment. I just love reading the opinions of dullards that make me burp and laugh at the same time!!

[@fredgarvinMP]

It was scripted and the teleprompter is right off camera.

[@billycloudy9078]

@@Michael-rj9gswtf are you talking about!! Stop with the goddamn conspiracy theories!!

[@billycloudy9078]

@@fredgarvinMP how is it scripted he’s literally looking down when he’s talking and getting the thoughts out. He’s not looking off camera at a fucking Teleprompter stop with the bullshit!!

[@neralauren]

A Beautiful interview! I am glad President Biden has decided to go for another 4 years. 80 is the new 60!

[@Maddie9185]

What a great interview. I will happily vote for this man again. It is such a pleasure to heard a president speak with such love and hope for our country. It’s breath of fresh air to hear our president speak so eloquently and with love and compassion.

[@lorifaulk7363]

Great interview. Well done President Biden and Heather Cox Richardson.

[@tammyburke9453]

He is just wonderful❤ He has been such a surprise to me, America will not recognize all his leadership for some time. History will show Joe Biden as very Consequential🎉

[@lyndamedley543]

I see Bidens greatness now; but History will only resonate better indeed

[@blue4democracy]

​@@lyndamedley543As long as we keep dictator wanna-be's out of offices that could, quite literally, remove history from history books. Biden has been fantastic. It's a shame people listen to propaganda rather than truth.

[@TheBainofmaliki]

Wow, his conversation didn't consist of self centered word salad. How can I put my own meaning into Biden's words, if what he says already has logical meaning and is based in objective reality?!

[@yellyman5483]

Not bad for a sleepy old man with Alzheimers.. People are so ignorant and jugdemental. This man is 100% present and alert. He is one of the smartest human beings to have served as president, and he is the most qualified man to be president. 36 years in the senate. 8 years as the vice president, and now the president.

[@blue4democracy]

The stark contrast is amazing, isn't it?! He's a great speaker, people focus on his stutter instead of what he says.

[@cheriewolfsen2491]

Thank You for this Wonderful Conversation! I am so proud of President Biden & all he has been able to accomplish in 2 short years!!! Looking forward to more in 2024!

[@lyndamedley543]

Voting blue 💙🔵

[@judybrown56]

What a wonderful interview. Biden's articulate and thoughtful and able to analyze how history and current events effects his decisions.

[@annnipper2147]

Great interview!! Thank you

[@lisareed5669]

Two brilliant mannerly people.

[@mikebowman9844]

It is easy to be mannerly when the interviewer in no way challenges the office holder.

[@bingoskies8564]

Thank you. This is awesome. Wish you did this every month and it was seen everywhere.

[@dinastevenson7745]

What a wonderful WOnderful man. He reminds me of why I love this country...We MUST re-elect him in 2024.

[@beckmordini4785]

I would love to see Heather do a series of these. Both she and Biden have a historical perspective which is so refreshingly different from the usual political posturing.

[@Windband1]

Shut up please! If you're serious, get educated on politics. If you're a paid DNC asset, get lost!

[@LazyIRanch]

It is so refreshing to listen to these highly educated people who value and understand the importance of knowing history and making concerted efforts to not repeat it's worst mistakes. Biden and Richardson are both patriots, _NOT_ nationalists. There's a huge difference between those two concepts... “The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war.” ― Sydney J. Harris

[@914WOL]

Important comment!

[@pattilunsford492]

What a breath of fresh air! A president that talks about our country with hope and love! Unlike Trump with his doom and gloom always talking about how much he hates our country and how shitty it is.

[@blue4democracy]

I totally agree!! Djt talks that way bc that's how he convinces his followers that they must act now. They fall for it every time

[@runningdeer62h33]

I have never heard President Trump say he hated the country, just the opposite .

[@jenniferstone2975]

Thank you, Joe Biden! Thank you for having faith in the decency and honor of your fellow human. ❤

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Precious words from our great President Joe Biden. He believes in the foundation of our country... and he believes in us ... THANK YOU President Biden for your hard work. We love you! 🇺🇸💙💯

[@Pants4096]

What an AMAZING and deep conversation! Honestly I've never heard Biden speak on these issues in quite this depth before. A half hour conversation with a thoughtful leader lead by probing and interesting questions... it doesn't get better than this!

[@Windband1]

LMAO!!!

[@wseanculkin7635]

Two Real Americans. Not happy with everything President Biden has done, (MBS) but these two patriots have the best interests of all Americans as their goal. Previous administrations have had the best interests of only some in mind.

[@VOTE-HARRIS]

Character & leadership

[@reallygoodideanetwork3574]

Please expand on the character and leadership

[@inokehemaloto9832]

Quickly and quietly he has become consequential president

[@RolandRees]

Even through this interview has some age too it, the one thing that does not fail to impress is this. One can never compare this President with the likes of a Donald Trump. We just cannot do so. Listen to him and what he is saying.

[@noopy24]

THIS INTERVIEW SHOULD BE REQUIRED VIEWING IF YOU WANT TO VOTE !

[@corinnehernandez4549]

I am forever grateful to the Biden Administration for covering the cost of COBRA for several months in 2021(I believe it was covered for a period of 4 to 5 month's). It was a life saver to me as i was battling a major health issue. Thankfully i was lucky to take care of my health.

[@chammiequeen7838]

Thank you for your work lowering the cost of insulin. I’ve had type 1 for over 40 years. There is a lot of misinformation about type 1 and type 2. Type 1’s cannot produce insulin due to an autoimmune illness. There is no cure. When my congressman and senators voted down lowering the price of insulin, I about lost my sh**. I thought we should take water away from them and charge an unreasonable amount for it. Let them figure out how to survive😤

[@blue4democracy]

Great analogy - water and insulin! Though, I would argue that insulin is far more important, and a person can die without it far quicker!! He's a good man, doing a good job, and I'm glad he was able to get that done!

[@irenehenderson8516]

He has my vote again👍🇺🇸

[@TomM-iw3te]

Wow! This man has wealth of sound experience his concepts are delivered in a cogent manner which begs the question why his political party doesn’t use this fireside to get his accomplishments in front of “we the people”. Don’t save it for targeted campaigns.

[@theresacondon8593]

Beautiful interview..thank you Heather and thank you Mr. President ❤️

[@brianhill5009]

This interview should, to any fair-minded and objective person, cancel the lame notion that Biden is mentally unfit and too old to be president. He displays an incisiveness, clarity of mind, and grasp of issues that Trump has never shown.

[@terenzo50]

"There's no time to wallow in the mire." -- Jim Morrison

[@boi7587]

That fire is poppin

[@my2wins]

Thank you - I was wondering what that noise was! 🔥😂

[@eftsoulpath333]

I Uncle Joe, you rock❤

[@gocoastal1988]

I had no idea he took up a professorship at UPenn!

[@laurenjohnson2577]

Hold the phone ! He said he was offered to teach not that he "was" a professor....this was a great interview ....love the man !

[@debrasnider7116]

I love our President Biden

[@lyndamedley543]

Cool, interview with my two favorites

[@meerong8806]

That s okay .this s my vote .democracy ✅❤👍

[@meerong8806]

I love democracy❤ .and freedoms .bro sister .very good ..✅👍

[@austinlentz1646]

@JoeBiden You need to turn these type of interviews into a FDR-style fireside chat via social media apps.

[@lauracohen4914]

Thank you, President Biden and Heather Cox Richardson. With all the issues we need to deal with, Republicans are working hard to not allow Congress to work. They are in favor of an autocracy, and refuse to cooperate, in their mind, to show that democracy doesn't work. I suppose they think theyll be at the top of the heap. We must stand up for our democracy. We must vote only for those who will work together for the common good of this country.

[@zenlama]

Wow!

[@raysun6617]

"The good that men do lives after them" said Shakespeare. Rightly so for Biden and Obama. I am sure other presidents have such deeds too attached to their name. I cannot decide what Trump has done good that will live after him.

[@penelopekilpatrick6408]

Biden articulates US destiny if given a chance to unfold. I have not yet researched the ad that popped up which is an example of our current divisiveness. Worth researching...

[@anitainmo489]

Dr Richardson is my fav history teacher. God bless them both.

[@Windband1]

Wake up.

[@allymayful]

I loved Denny in Wings. He was a good fit, and appeared to be a special support for Paul during his vulnerable years. Other videos have taught me that Denny had writing credits with Paul, but got Paul to buy him out when he was broke. It was also implied that he had a big drinking problem. I also read that the drummer from Wings detailed his wealth of flash cars and a lovely house from his stint with the band. Implying Paul did the right thing by him financially.

[@marksteiner2194]

He wants democracy for America. That's good. We need a President who does that.

[@jamesmilichich6693]

The courts are not being treated as “a co-equal branch of government.”

[@filmgirlLisa]

I got a new perspective with interview: "[I learned a long time ago you can't defeat hate. It just hides under a rock waiting for oxygen.]"

[@debrasnider7116]

💙💙💙💙💙

[@ralphperry3576]

We trust you Joe‼️🇺🇸💙‼️Don’t quit!

[@wesholden2293]

Is there a transcript of this interview?

[@maryjohnson5277]

Thank God for Biden.

[@Pius-XI]

😂😂😂

[@Windband1]

LOL!!!!

[@angelikaa259]

I love Joe Biden. God bless him. ❤️

[@MidnightRambler]

Why?

[@harriettejensen479]

Fabulous interview! This is Biden at his best, finally getting a chance to explain to the American people what he's been doing and how it reflects in their lives. Heather Cox Richardson also puts a historian's spin on Biden's place in the cycle of presidential policies and goals.

[@clark3352]

If saying "Putin invaded Russia" is at his best, I definitely do not want to see him at his worst...

[@harriettejensen479]

@@clark3352 I thin you read something into my post that wasn't really there.

[@MidnightRambler]

I saw just saw a corrupt old man with dementia.

[@CarolynDallmanDownes]

Astonishing that you could listen to this wise, erudite man and the only thing you come away with is a slip of the tongue that in no way impacts the import of what he was saying. Sad.

[@DanielleA2023]

He really is a very informed engaged strategic intelligent kind President ❤❤my only concern is he doesn't realise how vile the right wing are & what they do jeapordise him (Putin's invasion, Netanyahus genocide)

[@0329krogers]

How historic 🤣😆🤣

[@beckmordini4785]

I remember Biden campaigning on the idea that we need to unite to prove that democracy is strong enough to out-do despots and autocrats. Sounded like a good sound-bite then. How quickly Putin put that idealism to the test!

[@MidnightRambler]

Was that before he fell off his bike?

[@tinagarcia3571]

@@MidnightRambler go away.

[@matt3024]

​@@MidnightRambler We a ALL did so what's your point?

[@curtrice6060]

I’ll show you how ignorant the I am .😮 What is all the noise in the background? 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️🤥

[@curtrice6060]

Is it the fireplace?

[@nonayoung8177]

more people need to listen to what is getting done and not listen to the he noise

[@redeileen369]

Smart, thoughtful, empathetic.

[@Raydoesitintime]

I don’t think you know what empathy means

[@woodsprout]

Who cares what you don't think, @@Raydoesitintime

[@SunniTheWeatherNerd]

🤡

[@НатальяДробот-х6э]

Smart? Putin invaded Russia is smart?

[@jonestexas3]

What is that snaping sound in the background ?v very distracting.

[@Wilinds2]

Fire wood snapping.

[@LAURABOHDAN]

Better audio setup would have fixed this.

[@dianevandeth7946]

What are those annoying noises in the background?

[@dougtwitchell9947]

He didn't answer Heather's first question. Ugh.

[@tinagarcia3571]

Yes he did and it was a long answer.

[@fredgarvinMP]

@@tinagarcia3571 Scripted.

[@tinagarcia3571]

@@fredgarvinMP Dude they all are for the most part no matter the President.

[@fredgarvinMP]

@@tinagarcia3571 Trump could hold an unscripted interview.

[@tinagarcia3571]

@@fredgarvinMP LOL! cult trolling. LOL!

[@user-vs7cw2rg7r]

Wow. The comments.

[@meerong8806]

✅❤👍🙏

[@leeolson539]

Joe is a great story teller,like when he calls us a democracy and how he was an Ivy League professor for four years and was a descendant from black slaves.

[@matt3024]

Have you checked your roots lately?😂😂😂

[@laurenjohnson2577]

If u listened to him again u would find out he did not say he was a professor , a descendant of blacks & as for democracy he may have or not , but I guess I'm a dip sh*t too because I find myself not being as intellectual as u & proudly find myself incorrectly calling America a democracy.....this man is real & loves America.....Donald loves "Donald"

[@leeolson539]

@@laurenjohnson2577 who’s Donald?

[@yellyman5483]

@@leeolson539 Donald Duck. The orange clown.

[@maryannmealor1306]

Great interview!

[@lindagot]

Thank you. Fabulous.

[@GweGwe-lu9ob]

You can’t be serious

[@ArthurRTK]

18:40 lmao

[@yellyman5483]

Wow. You sat through 30 minutes to see him slip once with one sentence after about 18 minutes That is so pathetic. Get a life. You Biden haters are really spiteful.

[@CogyG]

@18.37 nice

[@croy0214]

Good lord...why aren't they stop whoever is making the background noise??

[@patricksullivan7140]

🤢🤮

[@wilhouts6173]

Is that the sound of someone shooting pool in the background.?

[@andreaperry938]

Thoughtful conversation. Joe biden for president, again! 💙🇺🇸🌊

[@meerong8806]

The president trump not good

[@louisburke8927]

What is going on with her shoes?

[@John-mn3yk]

Did he ever answer her question??? No. He didn’t. Did she follow up to get an answer. No. She did not.

[@tinagarcia3571]

Yes and it was a long answer.

[@fredgarvinMP]

@@tinagarcia3571 Scripted.

[@tinagarcia3571]

@@fredgarvinMP LOL! CULT TROLLER! LOL!

[@donsummers5678]

Greatest president ever 🇺🇸

[@Pius-XI]

Thanks for the laugh 😂

[@MidnightRambler]

We're you born in 2020?

[@airbear69]

This makes me feel like mainlining some parmesan and snorting some white cheddar popcorn

[@drazenfx]

do it

[@clark3352]

Let's go Brandon! Notice how the specifically cut and edited the video to put the best possible light on Brandon.

[@zf_phoenix2934]

@@Chris-my5di So you believe because somebody doesn’t like Brandon that they are automatically a Trumpie, that’s the problem

[@kathryntheado]

@@zf_phoenix2934 well the original poster did use the f*** Biden epithet, so ...

[@Pants4096]

I'm genuinely curious: did you actually listen to the substance of anything he said, or did you just sit there hating him while he spoke?

[@Pants4096]

@@johnjames2470 Okay, I'll bite: What did Biden say that wasn't true? What evidence do you have that he's corrupt?

[@Pants4096]

@@johnjames2470 Sigh. When Biden told Ukraine to fire that prosecutor, he was just conveying the official position of the government of the United States. It had nothing to do with Burisma or his son, and it wasn't Biden's decision. Children of rich or influential people often get offered cushy jobs they're not really qualified for, that happens all the time. It's not right, but it doesn't mean Biden is corrupt. Politicians plagiarizing speeches or fibbing about their class rank in school is pretty minor stuff to call "corruption". Compared to the last guy, Biden is a freakin' SAINT. There hasn't been any whiff of scandal or criminal wrongdoing by anybody in the Biden administration thus far. That's a welcome relief, again compared to the dumpster fire of 2017-2021. I still challenge you: what, in this interview, did Biden lie about? You're just parroting Fox News talking points trying to disparage and tear down a guy because you disagree with some of his policies. Stop being such a partisan hack.

[@MrZakius]

The fuck are those background noises, jesus

[@alaineb2643]

The wood fire that's been shown many times during the talk.

[@NotAllWhoWanderAreLost641]

For saying the middle class is being killed he hasn’t done a single thing to benefit that class. A lot of theoretical commenting with no substance of truth.

[@Pius-XI]

FJB!!

[@CliveNDerek]

That's the best you can do, huh? Grow up. Educate yourself instead of tossing out epithets that reveal your inability to express yourself like an adult. Or you can go back underneath your cozy rock of ignorance if that's what you want.

[@axelsoria8800]

Biden has been a better president than trump he brought diplomacy back and is recovering the American leadership around the world which trump destroyed

[@Pius-XI]

@@axelsoria8800 Being from Europe I can say that he's not viewed witb greatness over here. He's a complete an utter tool! He'll be gone soon though 👍Trump was a great president, but don't let your hatred of him stand in for the facts.

[@Pius-XI]

@@CliveNDerek Too funny 😂

[@Pius-XI]

@@Chris-my5di And you think Biden tells the truth 😂

[@ttacking_you]

Well, there's at least 23k of us who KNOW Joe's "sharp enough" for four more years. Which, is actually infuriating when you consider how much the last guy SUCKED

[@MrHeroFamily]

I'm sorry?🤨🤔 18:40

[@appt9255]

18:40

[@hayes4038]

𝓟Ř𝔬𝓂𝔬𝐒ϻ

[@emilyz766]

Propaganda

[@nickk4087]

Omg so funny 🤣 18:40 Russia invaded russia 🤣🤣🤣 he's a joker 😆😆😆

[@jonestexas3]

What are the oranges of your opinion? Anonniemouse? Tim Apple? Maybe he can't think of any reason why Russia would? (Helsinki)

[@allymayful]

Is that all you heard in this amazing interview? And you have never got your words mixed???? What a unique genius you are!!!!

[@oc2108]

It's clear the president no longer believes democracy is a viable form of government. He said it twice in this interview. It's disgusting.

[@kingwyatt]

Biden never said "democracy is no longer a viable form of government", your bias is showing. You've mistaken unbridled capitalism for democracy when in fact it's the enemy of democracy.

[@jonestexas3]

GOP senate ''represents'' 23 percent of our population yet has half the senate. Is that democracy?

[@lisasdfwhightechworld9946]

@@jonestexas3 The United States is a constitutional republic.

[@tinagarcia3571]

You are in need of earringaides.

[@tinagarcia3571]

@@lisasdfwhightechworld9946 white supremacist reply.

[@freespeech4all723]

Please stop helping us get back in the game Joe! If you help much more we'll all be wearing rags and starving! Heather...stop trying so hard to get a job in this debacle of an administration.

[@youngyeller]

78 yrars of life and joe is as conflicted as a 5 year old.joe you should know better.

[@JGunz9191]

LETS GO BRANDON

[@richardnavarijo7477]

Interview a flop don't forget to ask what flavor ice cream he likes. While this country INFLATION will rise more tomorrow !!!

[@jonestexas3]

You posted this twice. Do you smell burning toast? Look up ''trickle down economics'' in Wikimedia.

[@drazenfx]

@@jonestexas3 They like Trump. He speaks like a 10 year old.

[@katielang4510]

Fun fact. Batteries are just as toxic to make as the life of a gas running vehicle. Yes kids batteries are also not the answer

[@dolinaj1]

How are there so many bloody ignorant Americans in the early 21st century! Not well educated; unable to think critically; think going to Disneyland or Disney World constitutes travel!

[@matt3024]

There's a variety of batteries, Einstein. And yes some of them are toxic. But few of the alternatives are as toxic as oil.

[@katielang4510]

@@matt3024 well if you look at the birth of any product it’s gone from Africa to China and transported all the way to you. I’m sorry but cobalt is incredibly toxic. The mines are tended to by mothers and their children. The worst slavery of our time. Not to mention the ships these batteries are transported on have sonar on them. sonar causes whales to beach themselves. One of the largest mammals in our ocean is beaching themselves in masses. so I would say that I choose gasoline. I choose to drill, locally act locally and fill the pockets of our local citizens so that they can shop locally buy organic and afford to feed their family and by non-toxic products to clean there homes rather than purchaseing all there cleaning supplies at the dollar store. batteries, and solar only feed the top 1% Einstein. You I’m sorry are fed lies. And where does one dispose of this battery when it dies? Oh under ground 😩please. Hydrogen is the answer, but the problem is there’s no money involved so yeah keep up with defending the liberal party BS

[@bilbob7624]

creepy

[@gameboyinc4694]

Right now Biden might be the worst president in U.S history

[@communitygardener17]

This is followed by commentary that is mostly tedious cant (kant.)

[@fredgarvinMP]

Scripted propaganda piece.

[@josephburton2248]

Buck fiden and Huck farris....

[@jmejias1958]

BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jonestexas3]

Yeah. No clownish hair and makeup. No accordion hand gesturing. No whining. No sweating. No walking out. What a boring show if you thought it'd be a circus.

[@drazenfx]

@@jonestexas3 well said

[@richardnavarijo7477]

Interview a flop don't forget to ask what flavor ice cream he likes. While this country INFLATION will rise more tomorrow !!!

[@jonestexas3]

And just what caused the inflation? Look it up.