WASHINGTON

US President Joe Biden was caught by a live microphone on Monday calling a White House reporter for Fox News a "stupid son of a b****" after he was asked about inflation.

Biden was speaking ahead of a meeting with the White House Competition Council to discuss lowering prices on a variety of products for working families amid rising inflation.

At the end of the event, Peter Doocy asked Biden: “Would you take a question on inflation? Do you think inflation is a political liability in the midterms?”

"It's a great asset—more inflation. What a stupid son of a b****," said Biden, who thought the microphone was off.

Hours after the exchange, Biden reportedly called the Fox News reporter to apologize. Doocy later told Fox News host Sean Hannity that the president called him and said to him, "It's nothing personal, pal."

"He cleared the air and I appreciated it. We had a nice call," Doocy said.

When asked if Biden apologized to him, Doocy replied, "I don't need anyone to apologize to me."

Biden's expletive-filled answer drew reactions from White House reporters and Twitter users, with some backing the president and others opposing him.