Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy has had several tense and memorable exchanges during White House briefings with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in 2024.
Between asking pressing questions about President Joe Biden’s age, Vice President Kamala Harris’ election loss or the border crisis, tensions have continuously boiled over in the briefing room on several occasions whenever Jean-Pierre called on the Fox News correspondent.
Sparks Fly After KJP Accused Doocy Of Spreading ‘Misinformation’
As Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated areas of the southeastern U.S., Doocy pondered why Biden needed Congress’ approval to send funds to North Carolinians but could send $157 million to Lebanon without Congress being in session. Jean-Pierre accused Doocy point-blank of spreading “misinformation,” leading to a uniquely tense exchange.
“But President Biden is fond of saying ‘show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.’ If he’s got money for people in Lebanon right now without Congress having to come back, what does it say about his values? There is not enough money right now for people in North Carolina who need it,” Doocy said. “That’s not misinformation.”
“No, that is. Your whole premise of the question is misinformation, sir,” the press secretary said.
“Excuse me?” Doocy pushed back.
The press secretary argued that the administration sent $200 million to the impacted civilians in the effected areas, leading Doocy to cite Biden’s letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson requesting Congress to return to session and approve additional hurricane funding. Johnson said there is no need for Congress to return from recess, but assured that they appropriated $20 billion additional dollars to the Federal Emergency Management Agency right before Hurricane Helene made landfall.
Doocy told Jean-Pierre point-blank that she cannot label a question she does not like as “misinformation.”
“You can’t call a question you don’t like misinformation, that’s crazy,” Doocy continued, with Jean-Pierre continuing to defend the administration’s handling of the hurricanes.
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KJP Accuses Doocy Of Being Politically Biased
Doocy confronted Jean-Pierre in January about an ABC News poll finding that the American public believed Biden’s mental sharpness had declined, leading the press secretary to outwardly accused him of being politically biased.
“You know, I have to say that’s a little confusing for me because if you look at what this president has done the last three years, historical pieces of legislation, right? When it comes to [the] bipartisan infrastructure deal, many presidents before, like your favorite president, had said that—” Jean-Pierre said.
“Who’s my favorite president?” Doocy fired back, leading the press secretary to suggest that it was already common knowledge.
As Jean-Pierre attempted to convince everyone that Biden’s mental health was as sharp as ever, the American people believed Biden’s mental health and capacity had been on the decline. These perceptions intensified following his disastrous performance during the June 27 debate, causing Democrats to call on Biden to drop out of the 2024 race.
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KJP Visibly Frustrated At Questions Of ‘Awkward’ Lunch Between Biden And Harris
Following Harris’ loss to President-elect Donald Trump, she and Biden attended a private lunch together at the White House held one week after the election. Doocy irked Jean-Pierre as he asked how “awkward” the meeting had been between the president and vice president give the circumstances.
“We know that today, a week after the election, President Biden and Vice President Harris had a private lunch. How awkward was that?” Doocy asked.
“I don’t even understand. Why would it be awkward?” Jean-Pierre asked. “Why would you characterize it as awkward? They have regular lunches, they meet and talk regularly. Why would you call it awkward?”
Doocy said Biden dropped out of the race to allow Harris to run and was kept at “arms length” only to watch her lose to Trump.
“So there’s no weirdness about the way that things have unfolded?” Doocy continued.
“Did you see them together yesterday as well when they honored our veterans and were together during the day making sure that we didn’t forget the brave men and women that fought for this country,” Jean-Pierre replied. “Did you them together yesterday? Did you see the show of force together? This is … I’m not even gonna take the premise of this question. What I will say is the president and the vice president had lunch today, they’ve had lunch many times, they have — they communicate with each other regularly and had an opportunity to discuss the last 70 days or so of this administration, how important it is to get things done for the American people, and that’s their focus. That is genuinely their focus.”
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Doocy Stuns KJP Asking About Kamala Harris’ Fake Southern Accent
Jean-Pierre appeared to be in disbelief as Doocy asked about Harris’ accent during her campaign speeches to union members in Detroit, Michigan, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in early September.
“Since when does the vice president have what sounds like a southern accent?” Doocy asked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jean-Pierre replied. “I mean, this is … I mean, do you hear the question that you’re [asking], do you think people seriously think that this is an important question? Do you know what they care about? They care about the economy, they care about lowering costs, they care about healthcare, that’s what Americans care about. That’s what they want to hear. They want to hear.”
A visibly annoyed Jean-Pierre said his question “sound[ed] so ridiculous,” leading Doocy to ask if she spoke that way during meetings at the White House. The press secretary immediately moved to the next reporter.
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Doocy Asks KJP Point-Blank Who Covered Up Biden’s Cognitive Decline After He Dropped Out
After Biden dropped out of the race, Doocy asked Jean-Pierre during a July 24 debate to name drop who covered up Biden’s cognitive health after the White House and the liberal media assured the American people for months that he was in good mental shape.
“It would seem that people in this White House knew that President Biden was slipping and it was hidden from the American people,” Doocy began. “So who ordered White House officials to cover up a declining president?”
“I know that is a narrative that you love,” Jean-Pierre said, followed by an interjection from Doocy. “Okay, you’re asking me two multiple questions here. Wait, wait. First of all, there’s been no cover up. I want to be very clear about that. I know that’s the narrative that you all want.”
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Nearly 40 Democrats urged Biden to exit the race after the debate, among them being California Rep. Adam Schiff, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton and New York Rep. Pat Ryan. Prior to the debate, Jean-Pierre labeled video clips of Biden appearing to be confused or stumble on his words as “cheap fakes” orchestrated by Republicans during a July 23 briefing.
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