White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre raised eyebrows in the briefing room when she vigorously defended President Joe Biden and insisted his stepping aside had “nothing” to do with his health.
In the first press briefing since Biden ended his re-election campaign, Jean-Pierre was grilled by reporters about the monumental decision and the factors that played into the move. The president addressed the nation from the Oval Office Wednesday evening but only spoke of passing the torch and doing what was needed to save “democracy.”
“It’s obviously a historic moment, but a decision like this is very personal. It’s not easy to make. And I think there are very rare politicians who could look at the situation and make a decision. And I think it speaks to how honorable this president is, how selfless this president is, that he was able to make this decision and say, it is not about me, it is about the American people,” Jean-Pierre said. “This is about the country and making, again, a personal, difficult decision. And so I think that speaks for itself, I really do.”
“I think there are very rare, rare politicians who could look at the situation and make a decision,” White House press sec. Jean-Pierre tells @maryaliceparks after Pres. Biden leaves 2024 race.
“I think it speaks to how honorable this president is.” https://t.co/rK7deBSJKp pic.twitter.com/cgMu4rRZQx
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 24, 2024
“We believe and any suggestion of that note is ridiculous,” she said, addressing questions about Biden resigning from office before the end of his term.”
“He’s been able to do more again than any president has been able to do in two terms. He’s been able to do that more in one term, and he wants to finish the job that he started and delivering more historic results for the American people,” she said.
“Look, he didn’t step down from campaigning or from running because he didn’t believe he can serve in a second term. That is not why,” Jean-Pierre declared to a surprised press, turning the focus to the upcoming address by Biden.
“Again, the president’s going to speak to this directly to the American people tonight in prime time. I know many of you all will be watching it. There are specials going on tonight. He will, I promise you, he will speak to this directly to all of you tonight,” she said. “But in his letter, he talked about the country. He talked about the party. He talked about the moment that we’re in right now. It is not about his health. I can say no, that’s not the reason. But hear him out tonight.”
President Biden’s withdrawal from the race has “nothing to do with his health,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells CBS News’ @NancyCordes.
She says Biden’s decision came quickly after a meeting with “a small group of advisors” and his family last Saturday. pic.twitter.com/2q3MWvkErA
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 24, 2024
An Associated Press reporter asked, “So today, the president believes that he is capable, fully capable of serving in the office that he currently has now and for the next 4.5 years if he wanted to?”
“Absolutely,” Jean-Pierre responded.
“Why is it in the country’s best interest for him to step aside? Does it have to do with his health?” another reporter asked.
“It has nothing to do with his health,” the press secretary insisted. “The president’s going to speak to this directly to the American people tonight in prime time.”
She was adamant that “there has been no coverup” when pressed about how those in Biden’s immediate circle, including Vice President Kamala Harris, knew about his declining health.
“It is not a cover-up. I know that is the narrative you all want,” she told Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, deflecting again to the Oval Office address coming from the president.