Out White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed an “insane” question about Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, asked by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy at a recent White House press briefing.
“Since when does the vice president have what sounds like a Southern accent?” Doocy asked.
Jean-Pierre responded by leaning on the lectern, shaking her head, and saying, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She then laughed and said, “I mean, this is—”
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Doocy then explained, “She was talking about unions in Detroit using one tone of voice.” During his explanation, Jean-Pierre audibly said, “Ugh,” and added, “Is this something you think—?”
Doocy continued, saying, “Then she used the same line in Pittsburg, and it sounded like she at least had some kind of a Southern drawl.”
Jean-Pierre replied, “Do you hear the question that you’re— Do you think Americans seriously think 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.”
Doocy then said, “So, okay, well this is something—”
But Jean-Pierre spoke over him, noting that another reporter had just asked a question about democracy and freedom. “I’m not even going to entertain some question about the presi— it’s just, hearing it, it sounds so ridiculous…. The question is just insane.”
Undeterred, Doocy asked, “Is that how she talks in meetings?”
Jean-Pierre said, “I just, Peter, we’re moving on. We’re so moving on,” before calling on another reporter to ask a question.
Fox News then cut away to talk to former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Doocy’s question echoes a right-wing claim that “Kameleon” Harris changes her racial and ethnic identity whenever it benefits her. Black social media commenters have noted that her changes in speaking style are a form of “code-switching,” the common practice of changing languages, dialects, or accents in a conversation or situation based on social context.
Jean-Pierre has regularly scolded Doocy for his questions during press briefings. In previous exchanges, she scolded Doocy for diminutively referring to American political prisoner Brittney Griner as a “professional athlete,” for falsely claiming that President Joe Biden wants to ban beer, for repeatedly interrupting her, for his repeated “dramatics,” and for citing billionaire Jeff Bezos as an economic expert.
Biden’s former White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, also used to regularly spar with Doocy. Their exchanges spawned the popular #PsakiBomb meme on social media. Even President Biden has scolded Doocy for asking a “garbage question” and once referred to the reporter as a “stupid son of a b**ch.”
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