President Biden was roundly ridiculed for an announcement about his administration’s plan to combat “junk fees” which included addressing charges for extra legroom on airplanes, something he suggested is racist.
Biden’s remarks came during a speech at the White House briefing room Wednesday regarding efforts to protect American consumers.
His plan involves an expressed commitment to addressing hidden fees charged by banks, credit cards, etc., with promises to ‘work on rules’ and ‘making clear’ that the fees are illegal.
Though he provided little evidence of concrete steps to address the problem, Biden vowed the administration’s moves would be “saving Americans, collectively, billions of dollars in unfair fees.”
One portion of his speech caught the eye of viewers, however – The President’s bold actions against airlines for charging hidden fees for extra legroom on their airplanes.
The Biden administration is cracking down on “junk fees,” such as overdraft charges, that are often shouldered by poorer Americans with less money in their checking accounts (via @quicktake) https://t.co/tq4DdbLPiS pic.twitter.com/UIKiDxPx5h
— Bloomberg (@business) October 27, 2022
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Biden Tackles Racist Legroom Fees
Part of President Biden’s plan to rescue the American people from “junk fees” is to address fees for extra legroom on airplanes.
Not to eliminate such fees, but rather, to make sure airlines explain exactly what they’re charging for.
“I’m not saying they can’t charge it, but they got to let you know they’re going to charge it,” the President explained. “You can make a decision.”
“Some airlines, if you want six more inches between you and the seat in front, you pay more money. But you don’t know it until you purchase your ticket.”
That’s when things got a little crazy, with Biden explaining that legroom fees have a racial component.
“Look, folks, these are junk fees,” he said. “They’re unfair, and they hit marginalized Americans the hardest, especially low-income folks and people of color.”
Joe Biden just said that fees on airplanes for extra leg room in front mostly affect people of color
pic.twitter.com/UmRQnlRQOR
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 26, 2022
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Biden Mocked Relentlessly
It is an odd statement. Prior to this, one would assume that extra legroom fees would disproportionately affect people who are tall, not those of a particular skin color.
We thank President Biden for pointing out our obvious ignorance.
Meanwhile, social media users took to Twitter to roundly criticize the President’s comments.
One user referenced an old quote in which Biden declared “poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.”
“Poor kids are just as talented and smart as white kids”
– actual Joe Biden quote https://t.co/C8CM9MvDw5
— N/A (@USMil2077th) October 26, 2022
Others noted the absurdity in assuming mostly “people of color” are the ones easily duped by airplane legroom fees.
“It’s literally written that those seats cost more,” explained political commentator Chris Loesch.
“Is Biden claiming that black people don’t understand this? How are they ‘junk fees’? Do the airlines not tell black people those seats cost more? Huh?”
I have never not understood the price increase for a seat with more legroom. It’s literally written that those seats cost more. Is Biden claiming that black people don’t understand this? How are they “junk fees”? Do the airlines not tell black people those seats cost more? Huh? https://t.co/uo28QKRgb3
— Chris Loesch (@ChrisLoesch) October 26, 2022
Glenn Jacobs, former wrestling superstar and current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, sarcastically pointed out that legroom fees are discriminatory towards “oversized people such as myself.”
I have long felt that airline seating is extraordinarily unfair to oversized people such as myself and warrants Federal intervention. Thanks to @POTUS for giving this crucial issue the attention it deserves. (For those lacking a sense of humor, this is called sarcasm) https://t.co/yn3KPJo5yC
— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) October 26, 2022
The Daily Wire’s Frank Fleming noted that extra legroom fees for airline flights might not resonate with Americans just trying to fill up their gas tanks and buy groceries.
“Things are looking bad for Democrats, but will the message of ‘airlines charging extra for more legroom hurts minorities’ turn things around?” he wondered.
Things are looking bad for Democrats, but will the message of “airlines charging extra for more legroom hurts minorities” turn things around? https://t.co/KFKFHZ1gLw
— Frank J. Fleming (@IMAO_) October 26, 2022
Not to worry. President Biden, during the same speech, bragged once again about gas prices.
POLL: Have you ever encountered racist legroom fees?
“The price of gasoline continues to fall,” he boasted. “It’s down for the third week in a row.”
The national average for gas prices today is $3.76, up from $2.39 on Biden’s first day in office.
“I’m optimistic,” Biden concluded, referencing the state of the American economy. “It’s going to take some time. And I appreciate the frustration of the American people.”
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