Israel war: Biden calls it a day before noon, sparking online outrage

President Joe Biden sparked controversy Monday by turning in early amid world strife.

The White House called a “lid,” which in Washington lingo means the president won’t hold any more public appearances for the day, at 11:51 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. While the designation does not necessarily mean the president is not working behind the scenes, the decision nevertheless caused an uproar among Biden’s critics.

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“JUST IN: President Biden has called a lid before noon. Americans should not expect to see Sleepy Joe for the rest of the day,” Relentless podcast host Kyle Becker posted on X, the social media outlet formerly known as Twitter. “Even as a Middle Eastern war rages and a European war drags on with no end in sight, Biden will not face Americans or the press. This is not normal.”

Monday is a federal holiday, with the White House releasing statements honoring both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, and it is not uncommon for Biden to take early lids on holidays and weekends. Many private employers are working on Monday, however, and Israel is going to war with Hamas amid a rapidly rising death toll from this weekend’s terrorist attacks that includes at least nine Americans.

The White House added at 1:23 p.m. that Biden would spend the afternoon “speaking with several of our close allies about the latest developments in Israel” and will have more to share soon. But the lid remains in effect, meaning any sharing will happen later in the week or will not come directly from the president.

“Biden has ‘called a lid’ for the rest of the day, meaning no public or press events,” conservative commentator Mark Levin posted. “This is a disgusting disgrace. And, yet again, our enemies around the world take notice.”

It was the second day in a row in which the White House raised eyebrows for an apparently lax attitude. On Sunday, it held a barbecue with a live band to honor administration staff. The party was not publicly announced but was confirmed by the White House when reporters could hear the band playing in the Rose Garden.

“While Hamas holds Americans hostage, Joe Biden is enjoying a picnic with a live band,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said.

Biden has condemned the attacks and promised to support and coordinate with Israel going forward. On Monday, that support will take place out of public view.

“After hosting a party last night at the White House while Americans remain held hostage by Hamas, Biden has called a lid at 11:51 am,” Katie Pavlich posted. “He’s MIA.”

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Not everyone agreed the early lid was problematic.

“He’s working, Katie,” an account titled RealHousewifeOfMichigan posted in response to Pavlich. “In case you didn’t know, there is a lot going on in the world right now.”