In the face of another hot inflation report out Thursday showing consumer prices up 0.4% in September and up 8.2% from a year ago, along with worker wages taking a dip, President Joe Biden was not feeling the pinch of price increases wreaking havoc on American family budgets.
In fact, he even got a “public service” discount.
In a staged photo op, the president entered Tacos 1986, an eatery in Los Angeles’ Westwood area, to pick up an order — U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, who is running against LA businessman Rick Caruso for mayor of Los Angeles, accompanied him.
“Takeout order for Bass,” Biden said at the counter. “What do we owe you?”
The cashier told Biden he qualified for a “public service” discount of 50% off and that the total was $16.45. Handing the employee $60 in cash, Biden told him to use what’s left to pay for the next customer’s order — in sharing the clip on Twitter, the president was seemingly hoping to capitalize on that generosity by asking this customer to come forward.
If you got the next quesadilla, let me know. pic.twitter.com/gLJGs98jME
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 14, 2022
Interestingly, a reporter asked Biden on his way out about LA’s gas prices — the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County was $6.257, according to NBC Los Angeles — and he appeared to shrug it off.
“Well, that’s always been the case here,” Biden said. “Nationwide, they came down by $1.35, and we’re still down over a dollar.”
.@POTUS made a stop at a taco shop in Los Angeles. He had a roughly $16 food bill and gave $60, requesting that the next people who came in for food get their meal for free. pic.twitter.com/swp8otATHP
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) October 13, 2022
While the photo-op above got plenty of attention, there was less focus on Biden headlining a swanky fundraiser along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Brentwood at the home of Hollywood producer Marcy Carsey. Tickets started at $5,000 per person, rising to $10,000 per couple and $50,000 per couple to host, according to Deadline.
Left-wing zealot Rob Reiner was reportedly spotted at the event, as were Tom Ford and Bill Nye. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was expecting $5 million to be raised at the event.
Somewhat comically, while speaking at a Los Angeles subway line construction site about investing in the nation’s infrastructure– to give the trip an official purpose — Biden claimed that if Republicans win in November “inflation is going to get worse. It’s that simple.”
Biden: “If Republicans win, inflation is going to get worse. It’s that simple.” pic.twitter.com/iihpdQ8L1F
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 13, 2022
In a clear display of how confident he is that the media has his back, Biden also said, “Whatever Maxine Waters says, I agree with.”
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., was among the dignitaries on hand and the president’s remark was met with footage shared by a social media user of Waters infamously calling on her followers to harass Republicans in the Trump administration: “You push back on them. And you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere!”
Mr. President @JoeBiden, can you confirm the above statement? pic.twitter.com/pkH4FyjYtt
— Aldous Huxley’s Ghost™ (@AF632) October 13, 2022
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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