White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says she will “miss” Fox News reporter Peter Doocy after she leaves per position at the end of the week.
During an event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, Psaki was asked if she will miss the Fox News reporter.
“I will,” the press secretary responded. “I will tell you, and people know this who are in the White House every day. I think we have a very good professional relationship.”
She continued, “And I understand that he’s coming there to ask questions every day that are important to report and the outlet he works for, and I respect that, and we have healthy debates and discussions.”
“[It] doesn’t mean I agree with his line of questioning on most days. But I think that’s — I’ve called on him every day he’s been there or a Fox person, Jacqui [Heinrich], who’s been there a lot as well,” Psaki added.
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WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki says she’ll miss Fox News’ Peter Doocy:
— The Recount (@therecount) May 12, 2022
“I understand that he’s coming there to ask questions everyday that are important to report in the outlet he works for … Doesn’t mean I agree with his line of questioning on most days.” pic.twitter.com/YY6f7gdcDW
Psaki went on, “And I think sending the message to the country that we’re not focused here on a fight with Fox. We’re focused here on the work of the American people was very important to the president, the first lady, and me in this job in this moment in history.”
Psaki made an appearance on a live recording of the “Pod Save America” podcast last month and was asked whether “Peter Doocy is a stupid son of a bitch or does he just play one on TV.”
“He works for a network that provides people with questions that, nothing personal to any individual including Peter Doocy, but might make anyone sound like a stupid son of a b****,” Psaki responded.
Her reported comments come after a moment from January when Doocy asked President Joe Biden, “Do you think inflation is a political liability going into the midterms?”
“No, it’s a great asset,” Biden quipped.
He added, “More inflation. What a stupid son of a b****.”
Politico’s Eugene Daniels later added that Psaki said Doocy was “gracious after President Biden called him and apologized,” he tweeted.
A spokesperson for Fox News reacted to Psaki’s comments in a statement, “In his role as White House correspondent, Peter Doocy’s job is to elicit truth from power for the American public. His questions are his own, he is a terrific reporter and we are extremely proud of his work.”
After the video surfaced of Biden calling Doocy a “stupid son of a b****,” he apologized to the Fox News reporter.
During an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Doocy said, “After years of clips of the president and I kind of mixing it up on the campaign trail and during the transition and here at the White House, within about an hour of that exchange, he called my cellphone and he said, ‘It’s nothing personal pal.’”
Biden announced that Karine Jean-Pierre, the deputy press secretary, will take over Psaki’s position at the end of this week, as IJR reported.