Jonathan Capon: Good evening I’m Jonathan Capon of the Washington Post.
David Books: And I’m David Books of the New York Times. And you’re watching the PBS News Hour. Tonight, we will be speaking to former US President Joe Bilephlegm and his wonderful wife Dr. Jill. Welcome Mr. President and First Lady.
President Bilephlegm: Thank you, Phil. It’s good to be back in Washington. Where I belong.
Jill Bilephlegm: Thank you, David. He meant David.
David Books: Yes, I’m sure he did. Mr. President, since your withdrawal from the 2024 race and the subsequent catastrophic loss of your vice president to Donald Trump many people have been waiting for you to speak candidly about what you think happened in the election and what could have been done to prevent the loss.
President Bilephlegm: I’m glad you asked Brad. The answer is simple. When I rope-a-doped Trump in the first debate many faint-hearted Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and George Clooney panicked. They thought I really had gone bananas and began shouting for me to drop out of the race. And then that bedwetter George Stepha-what’s-his-name piled on and before you know it, I’ve been kicked to the curb by these weak-kneed cowards. And that left that drunken bimbo to try and face Donald Trump on her own. It was hopeless.
Jonathan Capon: Mr. President are you seriously claiming that your performance at the debate was an act? Because at the time it was described as a shambolic disaster of the first water.
President Bilephlegm: Listen nancy boy I’ve been handling bullies like Trump since before you groveled before your first editor. I was first in my class at Harvard. I took a bullet for Nelson Mandela and I fought at Iwo Jima.
Jonathan Capon: What? You barely graduated from the University of Delaware. You never met Mandela. And you were three years old when Iwo Jima was fought. How could you possibly have been there?
President Bilephlegm: I fought at the second battle of Iwo Jima. It wasn’t as famous but the fighting was even tougher. I was wounded five times and received three Congressional medals of honor for my service. I turned the tide of the battle single-handedly and routed the Russians.
Jonathan Capon: Oh, that’s enough, I’m out of here. (leaves the stage)
Jill Bilephlegm: Come back Jonathan, you have to let him tell his story his own way. He’s a great communicator.
President Bilephlegm: Let him go. I’ll tell my story to Freddie over here. He’s a real newsman.
David Books: It’s David, Mr. President, not Freddie.
President Bilephlegm: Whatever you want to call yourself is fine with me Kemosabe. Look I’m trying to get my story out so that my 2028 campaign will get off on the right track. In 2026 I’ve got to hit the ground running if I want to get the moderate vote sewn up early.
David Books: Mr. President, are you out of your mind? You can’t run for president again. You’d be ninety years old by the end of that term.
President Bilephlegm: So? Ninety is just a number. Remember what Morning Schmoe said about me last year. He said that intellectually, analytically, I was the best Bilephlegm there ever was. And he was right!
David Books: Well, their parent company is trying to spin off his network and lay off Morning Schmoe even as we speak so I wouldn’t give that too much weight.
President Bilephlegm: Listen Brainiac, they laughed at Trump when he said he was coming back after a four-year hiatus and look at him now. Why, he bestrides the known world like a colostomy. In four years when he can’t run again, I’ll be back and I’ll win.
David Books: With all due respect Mr. President, in four years you won’t be able to say your own name.
President Bilephlegm: So what? FDR had Elanor to help him. I’ll have what’s-her-name over there to do the heavy lifting. We’re a team. And Hunter is already lining up some trade deals that should net billions for us.
David Books: Who’s “us.”
President Bilephlegm: The American people of course.
David Books: Alright, that’s enough. I’m going back to Canada. At least our crooks don’t smell this bad (leaves stage).
President Bilephlegm: (speaking in a stage whisper) So, all of you viewers out there, remember to vote for good old Joe. (yelling) Don’t let the Nazis win!
