Press Secretary Jean-Pierre is a complete embarrassment to the White House. She’s really stepped in it this time.
And Karine Jean-Pierre’s job is on the line after this moronic slip of the tongue.
After one of her comments during Monday’s press briefing sparked anger from both sides of the political aisle, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attempted to conduct some damage control.
Jean-Pierre addressed some of the complaints in a post to X, especially that she had dismissed worries about rising anti-Semitism in the United States in favor of focusing on hate crimes against Muslims.
“To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel,” she said.
“That’s why the President mobilized his homeland security team to address any potential threats that could harm Jewish communities, as well as Muslim, Arab American, and Palestinian American communities.”
To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. https://t.co/oMeFDmZK66
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) October 23, 2023
Critics were unimpressed with her attempt to recover the fumble, and they expressed their displeasure via X.
“Weird how you didn’t say that when asked directly,” Megyn Kelly said.
“To be clear: it did not seem that you or the president are very concerned at all about the rise in Jew hatred. Say it from the podium, don’t take to your twitter account,” Karol Markowicz added.
To be clear: it did not seem that you or the president are very concerned at all about the rise in Jew hatred. Say it from the podium, don't take to your twitter account. https://t.co/C7uUB2sRe5
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) October 24, 2023
“The White House always says ‘to be clear’ right when they’re in the middle of wildly confusing us,” Kate Hyde posted.
When asked about the surge in anti-Semitic discourse and demonstrations — on American college campuses and elsewhere — and whether the White House was concerned about the potential of anti-Semitic violence, Jean-Pierre quickly shifted her focus to anti-Muslim hatred.
“We have not seen any credible threats,” she said of the possibility that Jews in the United States could be targeted.
“But look, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks.”
"What is [Biden's] level of concern right now about a potential rise of antisemitism?"
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks" pic.twitter.com/q1WYkpbKmn
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 23, 2023
Critics pushed back, former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer among them: “This is the most tone-deaf answer ever. The question was about anti-Semitism and KJP talks about threats to Muslim Americans. I guess the fact that Jews are attacked doesn’t register with her.”
“What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) said.
What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better. https://t.co/RdYhPTFpHa
— Jared Moskowitz 🟧 (@JaredEMoskowitz) October 23, 2023
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
