Biden contradicted by Pentagon on claims al Qaeda ‘gone’ and Taliban letting Americans reach Kabul airport

President Biden on Friday claimed that al-Qaeda is “gone” from Afghanistan and that the Taliban is letting Americans reach Kabul’s airport, before Pentagon leaders contradicted the commander in chief on both claims.

Biden stumbled repeatedly when taking his first questions from reporters on Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban — also claiming that US allies were not displeased by the chaotic US pullout, despite rare public rebukes.

“What interest do we have in Afghanistan at this point with al Qaeda gone? We went to Afghanistan for the express purpose of getting rid of al Qaeda in Afghanistan,” Biden said in the White House East Room, defending the US departure.

Attempting to put a positive spin on ongoing evacuations, Biden said “we know of no circumstance where American citizens are carrying an American passport and are trying to get through to the airport.”