White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki apparently misheard a question about Afghanistan and responded with a joke.
During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, a Psaki was asked about reports that Americans and Afghan allies are stuck at an airport in Afghanistan.
A reporter asked, “The hostage situation, what’s happening right now on — with those airplanes?”
The question came after Psaki answered a question about President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan and disagreements among Democrats about the price tag of the package, and she appeared to mishear the question.
“If I had a dollar for every time this was called ‘dead’ — it’s about once every few weeks — I wouldn’t be that rich, but I could buy you a nice cup of coffee,” she responded.
The reporter interjected, “No, I’m sorry, I meant the planes in Afghanistan. The Americans.”
“Oh, I thought you were talking about — so that’s an important thing, obviously. I thought you were talking about the Build Back Better agenda,” Psaki said, adding, “No, that is not what we would characterize it as. Those were points — that was — those were comments made by a Republican congressman this weekend.”
She added, “So let me be very clear: We’re in touch with American citizens. We’re working to get them out. There are four who were able to depart overland. Our Secretary of State is in Qatar right now working on a range of options, including getting flights up and operational and going.”
Additionally, she reiterated that “what we have seen is that individuals who have documentation are able to depart.”
Listen to the moment below:
WATCH: Psaki Mishears Afghanistan 'Hostage Situation' Question — Answers with Crack About Cups of Coffee https://t.co/k7UZm4NMlx pic.twitter.com/E6YfLkPbWC
— Tommy moderna-vaX-Topher (@tommyxtopher) September 8, 2021
Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Americans and Afghan allies have been waiting for days to depart from the Mazar-i-Sharif airport.
And Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), told Fox News on Sunday the Taliban was not allowing several airplanes to depart the airport and claimed it was a “hostage” situation.
However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Tuesday, “It’s my understanding is that the Taliban has not denied exit to anyone holding a valid document, but they have said those without valid documents, at this point, can’t leave.”
“We are not aware of anyone being held on an aircraft or any hostage like situation at Mazar-i-Sharif. So we have to work through the different requirements and that’s exactly what we are doing,” he added.
