Karine Jean Pierre had a bad day. She wore an oversized, off-the-rack men’s suit jacket with sewn-on tags on the sleeves to the White House Briefing Room. She looked like a child dressed as a mobster for Halloween.
Come on, I’m not the one to comment on fashion.
Legit thought this was photoshopped pic.twitter.com/1Unv566KC9
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) October 7, 2024
But her problems had only just begun. Peter Doocy was the last to speak after a series of softballs were thrown by various members of the press in attendance. The Fox News reporter then pressed Jean-Pierre about both the administration’s reaction to Helene and his claim that Congress was holding back further aid. She didn’t seem to take it well.
Must watch TV as the Press Briefing leads to KJP storming out
Peter Doocy & KJP get heated over Biden sending money to Lebanon without Congressional approval but refusing to do so for North Carolina.
Doocy: “You can’t call a question you don’t like misinformation.” pic.twitter.com/4kgaVqW0s0
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) October 7, 2024
JEAN-PIERRE: People want to spread misinformation and disinformation. This is dangerous. It is dangerous because people on the ground may not ask for help when they hear this. There is help for them. There is something for them. This is our main focus.
DOOCY: President Biden likes to say, “Show Me Your Budget, and I Will Tell You What You Value.” What does it say about him if he has money to help people in Lebanon without Congress coming back? Right now, there isn’t enough money for North Carolina.
JEAN-PIERRE: His values
DOOCY: This is not misinformation.
JEAN-PIERRE: No, that’s not it. Your entire premise is misinformation.
DOOCY: Which part? Is there money to send to Lebanon right now?
JEAN-PIERRE: I mentioned that we had provided more than 200 million dollars to those who were impacted by the disaster in that area. I also shared with you how people are choosing not to.
(crosstalk)
DOOCY: Congress. President Biden. If North Carolina doesn’t have enough money to help the people…
JEAN-PIERRE: We are talking about SBA disaster loans.
DOOCY: North Carolina residents can get money from this game
JEAN-PIERRE: That’s right, the people of North Carolina need it. (Crosstalk). This is not new. Peter, this is not new. Congress provides money for disaster relief, in the millions. We ask them to continue the work they have done for some time.
DOOCY (inaudible). Would you agree that the letter of the president is not misinformation?
JEAN-PIERRE: The way you ask me the question is misleading. We are allocating money to those areas that have been impacted, and we also have money for those who need it. The funding is there for survivors.
DOOCY: It’s impossible to call a question if you dislike misinformation.
JEAN-PIERRE: I said it, I said we had the money to help those who survived Hurricane Helene as well as Hurricane Milton. There will be a shortfall because we do not know the severity of Hurricane Milton. We’ll need more funding. We will need more funding.
DOOCY: You said that it was misinformation, but I asked you about exactly what you were saying.
JEAN-PIERRE: No! You’re asking why Congress should return to do its job. You’re asking that question. Congress must do its job, and provide additional funding and assistance to the Disaster Relief Fund. We will continue to encourage Congress to act in this way. It’s okay if you don’t want to. This is what the president and vice president want.
(Jean Pierre walks out of the Room)
Doocy’s main point in the exchange was that the White House said there would be no money available for Hurricane Helene or Milton unless Congress acted. I don’t think Congress needs to provide more funding. But what appropriation are Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris using to send American taxpayers’ money to Lebanon for the rebuilding of houses that cannot be sent to North Carolina? Doocy asked that question, which Jean-Pierre called a “misinformation.”
Asking for clarification is not “misinformation”. Many people in the area are asking this question right now. Jean-Pierre’s arrogance and inability simply to give a straight response is on display.
It may be a misconception that asking a simple question like this will lead people to give up on seeking help. Jean-Pierre, what evidence do you have to back up this claim? She sounds like she’s just come up with a censorship excuse that serves her boss’s political needs. It is not the way this works to say “You can’t speak about that, because some people may take it in the wrong direction”.
Sincerely, I believe that many Americans are tired of Democrats hiding behind “misinformation”, every time they’re asked a question they dislike. People deserve answers. Jean-Pierre is paid by the taxpayers. She should not act like an entitled brat who answers to nobody, but instead give clear answers about important issues. Doocy’s willingness to challenge her in the press briefing is a reflection of the entire media corps.
