Biden Blindsided by Trump Ad in Surprise Briefing

President Biden's unscheduled appearance at a White House press briefing on Friday backfired, handing former President Trump a major campaign boost.

President Biden's surprise appearance at a White House press briefing on Friday was met with mockery and derision from conservative commentators, who hailed it as a boon to former President Donald Trump's campaign.

Biden's appearance, which coincided with a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris, saw him tout the September jobs report and announce a potential request for additional hurricane relief funding. However, his comments tying Harris closely to his administration's record were widely panned as a major blunder.

Biden Blindsided by Trump Ad in Surprise Briefing

"I'm in constant contact with her. She's aware we all, we're singing from the same song sheet," Biden said. "She helped pass all the laws that are being employed."

These remarks were met with disbelief and scorn on social media, with many arguing that Biden's association of Harris with his unpopular administration would damage her already struggling campaign.

Biden Blindsided by Trump Ad in Surprise Briefing

"Look ma. A campaign ad!" tweeted Fox News contributor Joe Concha.

"I'm Donald Trump and I approved this message," joked Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita.

Biden Blindsided by Trump Ad in Surprise Briefing

Fox News contributor Guy Benson shared a similar quip: "'I'm Donald Trump, and I approve this message.'"

"Hahahaha!" laughed Sky News host Rita Panahi. "Thanks Joe."

Biden Blindsided by Trump Ad in Surprise Briefing

CNN pundit Scott Jennings wrote, "He is literally trying to destroy her campaign and it's just incredible."

Biden's appearance also upstaged Harris's speech in Detroit, with networks cutting away from her to focus on the president instead.

"We were actually about to go live to Vice President Kamala Harris, who‘s speaking right now in Detroit, Michigan and apparently she‘s talking about this port strike ending," CNN host Boris Sanchez said on Friday. "She‘s trying to appeal to union workers and yet you have the president of the United States come out, clearly overshadowing her, answering significant questions."

Digital strategist Greg Price noted the timing of the events: "Kamala began speaking in Michigan at 2:04 EST. Biden went to the White House briefing room two minutes later for the first time since he took office. All of the networks then cut from Kamala to Biden. Biden then said he and Kamala are ‘singing from the same song sheet. She's a major player in everything that we've done,’" he wrote. "He absolutely despises her lol."

Biden's misstep comes as Harris faces a difficult task in trying to turn the page on his embattled presidency. The vice president has been tasked with leading the administration's response to several high-profile crises, but her efforts have been met with mixed results.

Critics argue that Harris has been largely sidelined by Biden and that her association with his unpopular policies will make it difficult for her to succeed in the 2024 presidential race. However, Harris's supporters maintain that she is a talented politician with the potential to unify the Democratic Party and appeal to a broad range of voters.

Regardless of Harris's future prospects, Biden's surprise appearance at the press briefing has been seen as a major blunder that could have lasting consequences for his presidency and the Democratic Party as a whole.