White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre battled with reporters on Wednesday, defending Joe Biden from questions about his poor debate performance and calls from fellow Democrats to step down as the party’s presidential candidate.
One reporter told KJP the White House Press Corps would like to “invite the president to come here” and speak to them directly.
“If he’s awake,” another reporter chimed in, with KJP chastising him, “That’s inappropriate.”
The joke likely comes from a New York Times report that Biden was “given time for an afternoon nap each day” during his preparation for his debate with Donald Trump.
JUST IN: Reporter trolls President Biden by suggesting he is asleep after a different reporter asked if Biden would be able to address the press.
Reporter 1: “We would invite the president to come here and tell us directly…”
Reporter 2: “If he’s awake”
Reporter 1: “That’s… pic.twitter.com/3n39DbpTfV
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 3, 2024
“What does Biden do outside the hours of 10AM and 4PM?” another reporter bluntly asked next.
“Well, you heard him speak to supporters yesterday outside of 4pm. You saw the president land in North Carolina in the middle of the night at two o’clock. What was he doing? He was greeting supporters…” she answered.
“Does he have an afternoon nap every day?” the reporter added.
“Let me be very clear bout this,” KJP said before dodging the question. “This is a president who wakes up every day and puts the American people first. That’s what he does. He does that every single day. That is his focus. I’m not going to speak to unnamed sources out there. I’m going to speak to what I know what this president does and how he is committed to the work of the president.”
REPORTER: “What does Biden do outside the hours of 10AM and 4PM?”
KJP: “This is a president who wakes up every day and puts the American people first..” pic.twitter.com/zMOVorRrWk
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 3, 2024
KJP also repeated Biden’s recent lie that he had a poor debate performance due to “jet lag” despite the fact he hadn’t flown for two weeks at the time of the debate.
KJP just said Joe Biden performed poorly at the debate because he was jet-lagged and had a cold.
Biden had over a week resting at Camp David to recover from traveling and had the best doctors in the world at his disposal.
In other words, KJP is lying.pic.twitter.com/UPQ3B37FAB
— Paul A. Szypula
(@Bubblebathgirl) July 3, 2024
After claiming Biden’s debate stemmed partially from a cold he was suffering, a reporter asked why he went to a Waffle House restaurant later that night.
REPORTER: How is it that the president was still tired twelve days after returning from Europe? Had a cold but then went to the Waffle House.. Help us understand!”
KJP: “Have you had a cold before? Come on, Jackie!” pic.twitter.com/UzYUEwuaab
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 3, 2024
When it came to rumors of Biden stepping down as the Democrat candidate, the White House press secretary declared he will “absolutely not” be exiting the presidential race.
“He wants to continue to deliver for the American people.”
Karine Jean-Pierre was just asked if there was any chance Biden was stepping down:
KJP: “Absolutely not.. He wants to continue to deliver for the American people.”
They know it’s over. pic.twitter.com/Ba8pPoQdyg
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 3, 2024
However, KJP may have later committed a Freudian slip when she called VP Harris “President Kamala Harris” and claimed she’s the “future of the party.”
KJP just called Kamala Harris, “President Kamala Harris” and the “future of the party.”
KJP didn’t even correct herself this time.
She meant what she said!
— Paul A. Szypula