Jean-Pierre struggles to explain away Biden's latest embarrassing senior moment as reporters won't have it



White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre floundered under pressure from reporters to explain why President Joe Biden appeared to forget about the death of Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) at an event on Wednesday.

Biden was speaking at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in Washington, D.C., when he repeatedly searched the crowd and asked for Walorski by name.

The Indiana Republican was one of the sponsors of bipartisan legislation to fund the conference. She died along with two of her staffers in a tragic car accident in August. Biden issued a statement at the time mourning her death.

But on Wednesday, the president asked for her at the event.

"I want to thank all of you here ... including bipartisan elected officials like Senator Braun, Senator Booker, Representative ... Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?" Biden said. "I think she was going to be here to help make this a reality."

\u201c"Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?"\n\nRep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) died in a car accident in August\u201d
— Charlie Spiering (@Charlie Spiering) 1664376738

The senior moment from the president went viral on social media and fueled questions about his advanced age and ability to serve as the nation's chief executive.

At a press briefing later, reporters asked Jean-Pierre to explain what happened.

"As you all know, you guys were watching today's event — a very important event on food security. The president was naming the congressional champions on this issue and was acknowledging her incredible work," Jean-Pierre said. She added that Biden is scheduled to welcome Walorski's family to the White House on Friday and said "she was on his mind, she was on top of mind for the president."

\u201cReporter: "What happened when Biden said where is Jackie Walorski?"\n\nJean-Pierre: "The president was acknowledging her incredible work."\n\nReporter: "He said 'Jackie, Jackie, where is Jackie?'"\n\nJean-Pierre: "She was clearly on top of his mind."\u201d
— Greg Price (@Greg Price) 1664388576

But reporters weren't buying the White House spin. "He said, 'Jackie, are you here? Where is Jackie? She must not be here," ABC White House correspondent Cecilia Vega told Jean-Pierre.

"No, I totally understand. I just — I just explained. She was on top of mind," the press secretary replied, reiterating that Biden will visit with Walorski's family later this week.

CNN correspondent Phil Mattingly then asked why, if Walorski's death and the upcoming visit with her family was "top of mind," was the president looking for her?

"I don't think it's all that unusual," Jean-Pierre told the press, repeating what she said before.

\u201cCNN's @Phil_Mattingly: "I'm trying to get my head around the response. [Walorski] was top of mind for [Biden] & her family was...here & that's what he was thinking about? Why was he looking for her?"\n\nKJP: "I think people can understand...when someone is at top of mind."\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

Unsatisfied, reporters did not drop the issue. CBS News Radio's Steven Portnoy said he was "compelled to ask ... one more time ... the question about Congresswoman Walorski."

"I'm not sure why. Why? Why one more time," Jean-Pierre said, hiding her frustration behind a smile.

"Frankly, honestly, I think the memory of the congresswoman and history requires some clarity here," Portnoy said. "Can you explain where the mistake was made? Was the president confused? Was something written in the teleprompter that [he] didn't recognize?"

Jean-Pierre accused him of "jumping to a lot of conclusions." Then she repeated the canned line about Walorski being "on top of mind" for Biden.

\u201c.@CBSNewsRadio's @StevenPortnoy: "Can you explain where the mistake was made? Did the President--was [he] confused? Was there something...in the teleprompter...he didn't recognize? Can you just help us understand?"\n\nKJP: "I mean, you're jumping to a lot of conclusions"\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

The Washington Post's Matt Viser was up next. "I think we all totally get why she's top of mind. You've made that case pretty effectively," he said. "I think the confusing part is why, if she and the family is top of mind, does the president think that she's living and in the room?"

"I don't find that confusing," Jean-Pierre responded. "I think many people can speak to, sometimes when you have someone on top of mind, they're on top of mind. Exactly that."

She rambled on for a bit repeating what she said before. Then, Newsmax correspondent James Rosen quipped, "I have John Lennon top of mind just about every day but I'm not looking around for him anywhere."

"When you sign a bill for John Lennon as president, then we can have this conversation," Jean-Pierre snapped back.

\u201cNewsmax's @JamesRosenTV: "I have John Lennon top of mind just about every day but I'm not looking around for him anywhere."\n\nKJP: "When you sign a bill for John Lennon--Lennon as president, then we can have this conversion."\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

Then all hell broke loose. Several reporters tried to speak at once. One shouted over the others, "These moments of confusion are happening with increasing frequency. Americans are watching this and are having concerns, what do you say to that? This is a legitimate question. We need to have some answers."

Jean-Pierre tried to move on, another reporter asked an unrelated question. But RealClearPolitics reporter Philip Wegmann returned to the Walorski issue by asking if the president would like to take back what he said.

"Just to try one more time, does the president believe that in his reference to the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, who you have said from the podium numerous time that he respects the work she has done and he will be meeting with her family to honor her work, does he believe he handled that reference appropriately? Or is this something that he would like to get back?" Wegmann asked.

"Like to get back what?" Jean-Pierre replied.

"Saying, 'where is Jackie?'" Wegmann clarified.

\u201c.@PhilipWegmann: "Does [Biden] believe that, in his reference to the late Rep. Walorski...he handled that reference appropriately or is this something that he would like to get back?"\n\nKJP: "Get--what? Like, to get back--what?"\n\nWegmann: "I mean, he said, 'where is Jackie?'"\u201d
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck) 1664388891

The press secretary had enough. "I know this is a question that many of you have had. I have answered it multiple times already in this room and my answer is certainly not going to change," she told reporters.

"All of you may have views on the way I am answering it. But I am answering the question to the way that he saw it and the way that we see it," she continued.

"We have to remember as well that this was an important event today. This was an event about food security, this was an event to take the steps to eradicate hunger by 2030. And that is something the president takes very personally. We wouldn't be doing this event that has not happened since President Nixon, right? That was 50 years ago that an event like this occurred at the White House, so clearly, this is something that is important, so clearly, this is something that he really honors. Both Republican and Democratic congressional champions, when it comes to this issue.

"Again, she was at the top of mind. He is going to be seeing her family in two days to honor her, to honor the work that she has done, and you know, this was a remarkable legacy that she had and we should be honoring that."

Press sec panics when Doocy brings up DAMNING Biden voicemail: 'I'm not going to talk about' that



White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to answer Fox News reporter Peter Doocy's question about certain "alleged materials" on the president's son's now-infamous laptop.

According to a Daily Mail report last week, a 2018 voicemail was discovered on a cellphone backup on Hunter Biden’s laptop that reveals that Joe Biden knew about his son's dubious business dealings in China. The president has repeatedly denied that he ever spoke with Hunter about any of his overseas business dealings.

\u201cEXCLUSIVE: Voicemail from Joe Biden to Hunter proves president DID speak about his son's Chinese business dealings https://t.co/8WBBKEHvoW\u201d
— Daily Mail Online (@Daily Mail Online) 1656385562

"Why is there a voicemail of the president talking to his son about his overseas business dealings if the president has said he's never spoken to his son about his overseas business dealings?" Doocy asked Jean-Pierre.

"Well, first I will say that what the president said stands. So, if that's what the president said, that is what stands," Jean-Pierre responded. "And secondly ... from this podium, I'm not going to talk about alleged materials from the laptop."

\u201cDOOCY: "Why is there a voicemail of the president talking to his son about his overseas business dealings...?"\n\nKJP: "I am not going to talk about alleged materials from the laptop."\n\nDOOCY: "Are you disputing that it's the president's voice on the voicemail?"\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230

Philip Wegmann from RealClearNews wasn't about to let Jean-Pierre off the hook.

\u201c.@PhilipWegmann: "You seemed to dismiss Peter's question about his conversation with his son Hunter Biden...how is that silence consistent with the president's promise to always level with the American public?"\n\nKJP: "I can not comment on any materials from the laptop."\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657052441

Neither were the people on Twitter:

\u201c@townhallcom So, we\u2019re going to be the most transparent administration in history, but we won\u2019t answer questions from the podium and the president won\u2019t take questions at all. Ok.\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230
\u201c@berkshirebabe03 @townhallcom Duck and weave\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230
\u201c@townhallcom @kddkevin572 I want answers\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230
\u201c@townhallcom Hey I\u2019m not here to answer tough questions about shading dealings and shipping off our strategic fuel supply to other countries! I\u2019m just here to make small talk! Certainly y\u2019all know this by now. \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230
\u201c@townhallcom Just answer the question lady\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230
\u201c@townhallcom Why haven't the Republican leadership brought the Hunter laptop voice exchange up in a public forum? @GOPLeader @laurenboebert @SteveScaliseGOP\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1657050230

Watch the video clip below to see Doocy hurling more facts at Biden's reluctant press secretary:


Biden hammered for saying 2022 midterms 'could easily be illegitimate.' Even CNN's hosts ripped the president's election remarks.



President Joe Biden is facing swift backlash after he said that the 2022 midterm elections could be "illegitimate."

During President Biden's rare press conference on Wednesday, he was asked if the 2022 midterm elections would be "fairly conducted" and the results "legitimate" if Congress doesn't pass voting rights legislation.

"Well, it all depends on whether or not we’re able to make the case to the American people that some of this is being set up to try to alter the outcome of the election," Biden responded, referring to more stringent voting rules enacted by Republicans following the 2020 election.

"Well, I think if, in fact — no matter how hard they make it for minorities to vote, I think you’re going to see them willing to stand in line and — and defy the attempt to keep them from being able to vote," Biden said. "I think you’re going to see the people who they’re trying to keep from being able to show up, showing up and making the sacrifice that needs to make in order to change the law back to what it should be."

Later in the press conference, a reporter asked a follow-up question about the legitimacy of the 2022 midterms.

"I just wanted to clarify: A moment ago, you were asked whether or not you believed that we would have free and fair elections in 2022 if some of these state legislatures reformed their voting protocols. You said that it depends," the reporter said, before asking, "Do you — do you think that they would in any way be illegitimate?"

"Oh, yeah, I think it easily could be — be illegitimate," Biden replied. "Imagine — imagine if, in fact, Trump had succeeded in convincing Pence to not count the votes."

The reporter attempted to focus the question back on the 2022 midterm elections.

Biden reacts, "Oh, 2022. I mean, imagine if those attempts to say that the count was not legit."

"I mean, sure, but — I’m not going to say it’s going to be legit," President Biden said of the 2022 midterm elections.

"The increase and the prospect of being illegitimate is in direct proportion to us not being able to get these — these reforms passed," Biden said.

"But I don’t think you’re going to see — you’re not going to see me and I don’t think you’re going to see the Democratic Party give up on coming back and assuming that the attempt fails today," Biden concluded.

Joe Biden is asked by @PhilipWegmann is the 2022 election results could be illegitimate:\n\n"I think it could easily be illegitimate"pic.twitter.com/xSlJWLNdCB
— Greg Price (@Greg Price) 1642631133

Republicans skewered President Biden for making claims that the upcoming November elections could be illegitimate. Many noted that former President Donald Trump was attacked by the media and Democrats for questioning the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) told Fox News: "It's unfortunate. As you know, the Democrats have been highly critical of those Republicans who refused to accept the results of the last election and use the word ‘rigged’ to say that elections weren't fair. They're using the exact same language and casting doubt on elections. It's irresponsible."

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) declared: "I think it was shocking, to be honest with you. Just shocking. To have the president of the United States trying to undermine the results of an election before there's actually an election is a stunning manifestation."

Sen. Josh Hawley (Mo.) remarked: "Joe Biden dangerously claiming results of 2022 elections will be illegitimate unless Congress passes his election power grab."

Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel slammed the president: "In the same press conference, Biden continued to baselessly smear election integrity provisions, and then signaled to Putin that a 'minor incursion' into Ukraine is ok. Unreal."

But it wasn't just Republicans who slammed Biden for proclaiming that the 2022 midterm elections could be illegitimate.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) disagreed with Biden: "We might have a difference of opinion. I believe in the Department of Justice doing its job."

As the Daily Wire pointed out, even CNN blasted President Biden for suggesting that the midterm election results could be tainted.

CNN chief national correspondent John King emphasized: "It is striking to hear an American president not named Donald Trump raise questions about the legitimacy and sanctity of our democracy."

CNN anchor Jake Tapper said: "And quite strikingly, the president said that the upcoming midterm elections might not be legitimate if the election reform bills before the Senate are not passed. … President Biden just said, with Donald Trump’s history when it comes to the big lie on the elections, but he refused to say that the election results this midterm — in these midterms in November would be legitimate. He refused it."

CNN anchor Dana Bash slammed Biden: "Well, particularly the first part, Anderson, what he said, was — actually the entire thing, but the first part was probably the most jarring to hear a President of the United States who is not Donald Trump, even suggest ahead of time that an election isn’t legitimate."

On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki attempted to do some damage control: "Let's be clear: @potus was not casting doubt on the legitimacy of the 2022 election. He was making the opposite point: In 2020, a record number of voters turned out in the face of a pandemic, and election officials made sure they could vote and have those votes counted."

"Today" host Savannah Guthrie pressed Vice President Kamala Harris on Biden suggesting that the 2022 elections could be illegitimate.

"[Biden] openly cast doubt on whether the 2022 midterm elections would be legitimate. He said it all depends, which is astonishing to hear a president question whether our elections will be legitimate. We’ve heard it before, but not from this president," Guthrie said, then asked, "Is he really concerned that we may not have fair and free elections?"

Harris dodged the question and responded, "The president has been consistent on this issue. And the issue at hand, the issue — I was there last night in the chamber of the Senate, and the issue is that there are two bills, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, that have been the solution that has been offered to address the fact that around our country states have put in place laws that are purposely making it more difficult for the American people to vote."

Is President Biden really concerned that we may not have free and fair elections? -@SavannahGuthrie to @VPpic.twitter.com/pQmv6MLVb5
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1642681554

Joe Biden tries to mock Sarah Palin while signing bill. But his attempt fails miserably.



President Joe Biden attempted Monday to bash former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by mocking comments he thought she once made. But his attempt went over like a lead balloon.

What did Biden say?

While signing into law the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, Biden touted his experience implementing bills with "speed," "discipline," and minimal waste, citing the 2009 Recovery Act.

"I'm proud to say that when we finished implementing that Recovery Act, it was determined that there had been less than two-tenths of 1% waste, fraud, or abuse," Biden said. "And it was how I learned and earned the nickname 'Sheriff Joe' from President Obama. Because I made it a point, every single day for well over a year, to stay on top of how the money was being used."

Biden said he managed to ensure minimal waste by routinely speaking with mayors, county executives, and every state governor — "save one," he added, then clearly invoking Palin.

"I won't mention that 'save one,'" Biden continued after laughing, "She could see Alaska from her porch."

Biden says that during the Obama administration he worked with every state governor, "save one." He knocks former Alaska Gov. Palin, not by name, but as the governor who "can see Alaska from her porch."

— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) 1637011138

What is the problem?

There are two significant problems with Biden's attempt to mock Palin. First, Biden incorrectly restated the infamous quote. Second, Palin is not even the person who said it.

The quote that Biden was attempting to resurrect from his memory is, "I can see Russia from my house."

However, Palin is not responsible for the quote. In fact, actress Tina Fey is responsible for those words, which she used to mock Palin during an episode of "Saturday Night Live" that aired in September 2008 in the weeks preceding the 2008 presidential election.

Sarah Palin and Hillary Address the Nation - SNL www.youtube.com

To be fair, Palin is responsible for an infamous remark involving Russia and Alaska.

While attempting to boost her presidential acumen, Palin claimed that living in proximity to Russia bolstered her foreign policy understanding.

"They're our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska," Palin remarked in September 2008.

At the time, the statement did incite mockery, hence the "Saturday Night Live" punchline.

Palin later doubled down on the remark, later telling then-CBS News anchor Katie Couric that by leading a state whose neighbors are two countries — Russia and Canada — she had the foreign policy understanding to serve as vice president.

Biden delivers hyperbolic and intensely partisan speech accusing Republicans of 'un-American' opposition to democracy



President Joe Biden on Tuesday castigated Republicans for supporting popular election security reforms with a hyperbolic stream of invective accusing his opponents of subverting elections, of posing a "dangerous" threat to democracy, and generally being "un-American."

"We are facing the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War. That's not hyperbole," Biden said, speaking at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

The president spoke partly to condemn his predecessor Donald Trump's refusal to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election, partly to criticize Republican-controlled states like Georgia and Texas for passing election security bills, and partly to rally support for the For the People Act — federal voting legislation supported by Democrats that would weaken state voter ID requirements and override other Republican reforms at the state level.

The president made no mention of the Senate filibuster or the fact that the Democrats lack the 60 votes needed to overcome opposition to the major pieces of his agenda, including voting reforms. Instead, Biden used the bully pulpit of the presidency to paint concerns over election security as conspiratorial and supportive of a broad attack on democracy itself.

"The 2020 election was the most scrutinized election ever in American history. Challenge after challenge brought to local, state and election officials, state legislatures, state and federal courts, even to the United States Supreme Court not once, but twice. More than 80 judges, including those appointed by my predecessor, heard the arguments. In every case neither cause nor evidence was found to undermine the national achievement of administering the historic election in the face of such extraordinary challenges," Biden said.

"The Big Lie is just that: A big lie," he declared, referring to Trump's claims that the election was fraudulent and that Biden's victory was illegitimate.

"In America, if you lose, you accept the results, you follow the Constitution. You try again. You don't call facts fake and then try to bring down the American experiment just because you're unhappy. That's not statesmanship – that's selfishness," Biden said.

Biden tied Republican opposition to the For the People Act with historic efforts to deny black Americans and women the right to vote. He cast the Democratic voting bill as an antidote that would "end voter suppression in states." And he predicted that Republicans would launch "a new wave of unprecedented voter suppression and raw and sustained election subversion" ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, calling on Congress to act now.

The president said that a recent Supreme Court decision upholding two controversial election reforms in Arizona "does not limit the Congress' ability to repair the damage done."

He went on to slam election laws like those passed in Georgia and Texas, calling them "racist and discriminatory."

Biden accused Texas Republicans, for example, of wanting "partisan poll workers" to intimidate voters.

"They want voters to drive further" and "wait longer to vote," he claimed, repeating falsehoods about the Texas law. He made the incredible and unsubstantiated claim that Republicans "want the ability to reject the final count and ignore the will of the people if their preferred candidate loses," comparing the actions of Trump-supporting Republicans to those of autocracies around the world.

He further called 28 Republican voting measures enacted across 17 states a "21st century Jim Crow assault."

Even as Biden launched explicitly partisan attacks against his opposition, he sought to portray Democratic efforts to undo GOP election reforms as a bipartisan cause.

"We'll be asking my Republican friends in Congress and states and cities and counties to stand up for God sake and help prevent this concerted effort to undermine our election and the sacred right to vote," Biden said.

"Have you no shame?" he demanded of Republicans.

"This isn't about Democrats or Republicans. It's literally about who we are as Americans. It's that basic. It's about the kind of country we want today."

Closing, the president said Republicans are leading "an unfolding assault taking place in America today, an attempt to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections. An assault on democracy. An assault on liberty. An assault on who we are."

It was a starkly divisive speech from a president who aspired to unite the country.

Reacting, the Republican National Committee dismissed Biden's speech as "lies and theatrics."

"After Democrats failed to pass their federal takeover of our elections (H.R.1), Biden is continuing their dishonest attacks on commonsense election integrity efforts," said RNC spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez. "Meanwhile, Republicans are engaged in state-led efforts to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat, and polling shows Americans overwhelmingly support these laws."

Statement from RNC Communications Director Danielle Álvarez on Biden’s Philadelphia speech: https://t.co/BnkfXoFSRs

— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) 1626203758.0

The president's remarks are the beginning of a major messaging effort by the administration to attack Republican election reforms and rally support for Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. However, Biden's strategy of using a public pressure campaign betrays the reality that even with full control of government, Democrats do not have enough support among their own members to go nuclear and steamroll the minority.

Outspoken moderates like Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) may attract public scorn from progressive activists for being opposed to abolishing the filibuster, but there are more than a handful of Senate Democrats who have kept their own opposition quiet. Without their support, Biden's words remain all bark and no bite.