Biden takes heat for 'Trumpian' call into MSNBC pledging to stay in race: 'Angry, defensive, lashing out'

President Biden's defiant phone call to MSNBC's "Morning Joe" insisting he'd stay in the race set off a firestorm of criticism on social media on Monday.

During the call, Biden knocked the media and Democratic "elites" demanding he drop out of the race and suggested his critics challenge him for the nomination at the upcoming party convention.

"I’m getting frustrated by the elites — not you guys — the elites in the party. Oh, they know so much more. Any of these guys that don’t think I should run, run against me. Announce for president, challenge me at the convention," he told "Morning Joe."

Media commentators and Biden allies criticized the president's defensive tone on X and said he was hurting his chances with voters and his party.

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"Overall takeaway: He is absolutely DARING the party to try to get rid of him. Positively Trumpian about his crowd sizes -- and what that means. Defiant bordering on arrogant," political commentator and ex-CNNer Chris Cillizza wrote.

Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau had high praise for Biden's "energy" but said his messaging "sucks."

"Energy is great! Sounds strong! Love that part. Message absolutely sucks - angry, defensive, lashing out at all the wrong people. Just please, please talk about voter concerns, how you'll address them, and how Trump will make them worse. That's all!" he wrote on X.

In response to Favreau's post, Semafor reporter Benjy Sarlin described the intraparty conflict as a "murder-suicide:"

"The basic dynamic: Biden has not made much progress since the debate convincing Democrats he's up to the job of beating Trump, but he's made progress in telegraphing to them it