On a Friday afternoon in late April, President Biden brought celebrities and elite social media influencers together for a White House reception. Jonathan M. Katz, an independent journalist and sharp critic of the administration, was shocked to get an invitation. When he met Mr. Biden, he pointedly asked about military aid to Israel and suggested he was supporting a “genocide.” Mr. Biden answered politely, but then appeared to grow impatient. “I trust you as far as I can throw your phone.” Aides then ushered Mr. Katz away. The episode, which Mr. Katz recorded on video and shared with his roughly 100,000 followers, was one in a series of Mr. Biden’s awkward attempts to manufacture online enthusiasm for his candidacy.

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Persons: Biden, Fran Drescher, David Cross, Ilona Maher, Jonathan M, Katz, Mr, “, ”, Donald J, Trump, Trump’s Organizations: Biden Locations: @underthedesknews, Israel