Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday that Mr Biden and Mr Obama “talk regularly about a range of issues, from policy issues to bouncing ideas off of each other. We don’t read out those specific calls. We keep them private.” The admission provoked derision from Twitter users, who said the statement showed who the real power behind the throne was.
One wrote: “We are effectively living in Obama’s third term.”
While a second said: “Puppet masters always talk to their puppets.”
A third commented: “So Psaki just confirmed that it’s an Obama proxy presidency.
“With joe as the puppet.”
A fourth joked: “Awesome. Doubling down on the incompetence.”
However, Mr Biden and Mr Obama had their supporters as well, with one tweeting: “Two best Presidents ever!!!!!”
Earlier on Thursday, the 46th US President announced new measures to tackle gun violence, after a recent spate of mass shootings.
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This will empower local courts and police forces to confiscate guns from those deemed a risk to their communities.
Mr Biden described gun violence in the country as an “epidemic” and “an international embarrassment” that had to stop.