President Biden Shares New Year’s Message, Favorite Holiday Food During Interview With Ryan Seacrest

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden shared a New Year’s Eve message with Ryan Seacrest on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on Sunday.

Asked by Seacrest about his favorite memories of the year, the president replied: “My dad used to have an expression. He’d say, ‘Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity. It’s about respect.’ We brought a lot of jobs back to the United States. People are in a position to be able to make a living now. And they’ve created a lot of jobs, over 14 million. I just feel good that the American people got up. They’ve been through a rough time with the pandemic, but now we’re coming back, they’re back.”

Seacrest also asked what foods the president has been enjoying during the holidays, and Biden said he hasn’t been picky, but there’s one type of food he’s really been enjoying.

“I’ve been eating everything that is put in front of me, but I’ve eaten pasta, which I love eating — a lot of chicken parmesan. I’ve been eating all Italian foods, basically,” he said.

“And ice cream,” interjected the first lady.

“And chocolate chip ice cream,” the president agreed.

The Bidens appeared from their vacation spot on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. According to the White House, the interview took place Saturday.

They ended the interview by sharing their hopes for the new year.

“My hope is that everybody has a healthy, happy and safe new year,” Joe Biden said. “But beyond that, I hope that they understand that we’re in a better position than any country in the world to lead the world. And we’re coming back and it’s about time.”

Added Jill Biden of her hopes for America: “It’s what I would always tell my students: Be positive, be optimistic and be kind to one another.”

Watch the interview below.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge that also owns The Hollywood Reporter.

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