Jill Biden opens up on first lady role in rare interview!

Washington DC - The role of first lady is "a little harder" than expected, Jill Biden said in a televised appearance that aired on Sunday.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arriving at the wreath-laying ceremony on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arriving at the wreath-laying ceremony on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

President Joe Biden joined his wife for part of the CBS Sunday Morning segment that took a sympathetic look at the lives of the first couple.

"I think it’s a little harder than I imagined," Jill Biden (70) said of her position as first lady. "It’s not like a job that you do. It’s a lifestyle that you live. It’s 24 hours a day."

The president grew emotional and appeared to tear up briefly as he described his wife’s practice of greeting him from the White House balcony whenever he returns from trips.

Joe Manchin slams Democratic Party as "toxic" as he prepares to leave Congress
Politicians Joe Manchin slams Democratic Party as "toxic" as he prepares to leave Congress

"Smile," she told him, prompting the commander in chief to flash a grin.

"She says, 'Joe, you’re too emotional. You get too emotional.' She’s right," the president said.

The first lady also shut down questions about the 79-year-old president’s mental fitness, saying: "I think that’s ridiculous."

First lady touts Biden's accomplishments

The president and first lady at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.
The president and first lady at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

Over the interview, Jill Biden touted the country’s massive vaccination effort and the recently passed $1-trillion dollar infrastructure deal, defended her husband’s record in office, and downplayed his slumping approval rating, which is about 43%, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis of poll numbers.

Asked whether she thinks his ratings will improve once his accomplishments sink in with the public, she said: "I do."

"He did come in and rescue America with the American Rescue Plan," Jill Biden said in a reference to legislation in March that provided relief checks to many Americans and sent billions of dollars to localities.

Trump branded "animal" and "public enemy" in angry protests over Panama Canal threat
Donald Trump Trump branded "animal" and "public enemy" in angry protests over Panama Canal threat

The first lady, a community college teacher, gave a diplomatic response when asked about Democrats’ decision to remove a proposal for free community college from a massive social spending package under debate in Congress.

"I understand compromise and I knew this was not the right moment for it," she said. "But that doesn’t mean it might not get passed somewhere down the future."

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

More on Joe Biden: