Biden, White House reporter flamed over 'scripted' child gender surgery question: 'North Korean puppetry'

President Biden and a taxpayer-funded Public Broadcasting System (PBS) reporter were both harshly criticized Thursday for what some called a "scripted" exchange in opposition to bans on trans medical procedures for children.

The incident occurred during a joint press conference with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, when PBS NewsHour White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López stated, "All over the country… Republican-led states are passing laws – passing anti-LGBT, anti-transgender laws that restrict rights and medical care. Intimidation is on the rise. This week, anti-LGBTQ protesters turned violent in California."

Barrón-López went on to say she "spoke to the parents of a transgender girl in Texas who told me that they're afraid and that they are considering leaving not just their state, but the country. Sir, why do you think this is happening? And what do you say to parents like the ones that I spoke to, to those families who are contemplating leaving the country because they don't feel safe anymore?"

Biden replied by first asking to connect with the family then saying he was proud to end a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and sign the Respect for Marriage Act. "But our fight is far, far from over because we have some hysterical and, I would argue, prejudiced people who are engaged in all that you see going on around the country. It's an appeal to fear, and it's an appeal that is totally, thoroughly unjustified and ugly," he continued.

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Biden went on to say that "extreme officials are pushing hateful bills targeting transgender children, terrifying families and criminalizing doctors."

"These are our kids. These are our neighbors. It's cruel and it's callous. It's not somebody else's kids, they're all our kids. Our children are the kite strings that hold our national ambitions aloft," he said. 

The lengthy exchange quickly drew outrage from the right online.

Fox News Radio host Guy Benson quipped there is "much to say about his answer, but her ‘question’ is quite a thing to behold."

New Hampshire state Senate staffer Grant Bosse added that the reporter was "Begging the question, if you will."

NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck keyed in on Barrón-López's question, calling it "Fake News" with the hashtag "DefundPBS." He later added that she "is lying about 'anti-LGBTQ protesters' becoming 'violent'" and used emojis to say her "claim" was a "pants on fire" lie.

Houck later pointed to Biden's apparent reading of crib notes, saying, "Notice how Biden read from prepared remarks in answering PBS reporter Laura Barrón-López's ‘question’ about ‘anti-LGBTQ’ views in America, saying those who believe men are men & women are women are 'prejudiced,' ‘ugly’ people." He added, "ZERO question this was pre-screened. ALL scripted."

The research arm of the Republican National Committee also claimed the president is "once again using a list of pre-selected reporters to call on at his press conference."

"Does he have the reporters' questions again, too?" they asked. 

Biden has been criticized in the past for appearing to have printed lists of White House reporters he must call on, at times with the reporter's photo next to their name. Biden has even been caught with "cue cards" telling him specific choreographic directions like "YOU enter Roosevelt Room." 

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Critics also torched Biden for his defending gender surgeries for children while blasting critics.

Former Ted Cruz adviser and commentator Steve Guest said the president's response shows "Joe Biden wants more mutilation of minors."

Conservative writer Jim Treacher responded to Biden's comment that transgender children are "not somebody else's kids, they're all our kids," by saying that is "why we want to stop you from ruining their lives by sterilizing them."

Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., separately added, "Contrary to President Biden, the nation's children do not belong to him, and it's good to oppose unnecessary and irreversible medical procedures for kids. If Joe Biden wants to see an extremist, there are mirrors all over the White House."

Republican communications expert Matt Whitlock called Biden's comments a "[h]uge political miscalculation," because "the overwhelming majority of Americans support banning transgender surgeries for kids. Including a lot of Democrats."

"This is such a bizarre hill for them to fight on," he said.

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Parents Defending Education founder Nicki Neily posted a Washington Post survey chart showing majorities of Americans believe it is "inappropriate" for early elementary, late elementary and junior-high teachers to discuss transgender issues with their students. According to the survey, 36 percent of those polled also found such discussions inappropriate in high school.

"President Biden claims that Americans who oppose gender issues being taught to young students in school - a majority of the population - are prejudiced!" Neily said.

In another response to the press conference, libertarian filmmaker Anna Zetchus Smith said of the exchange, "Tier reached: North Korean puppetry."

Of the fact Biden made his remarks while standing with Sunak, reporter Zaid Jilani noted Biden made his resounding endorsement of such surgeries while standing next to a world leader whose country "started limiting transgender operations for kids."

"Why doesn't she ask the British PM about why his country has much stricter laws on trans stuff for minors than the U.S.?" RealClearInvestigations writer Mark Hemingway asked.

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Fox News' Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.