Karine Jean-Pierre, the former White House press secretary, launched a new book on Tuesday.
During her tenure under President Biden from mid-2022 until he stepped down, she shares her perspective in The Independent, touching on the abrupt end of his re-election effort, the challenges faced after then-Vice President Harris’ unsuccessful presidential run, and her experiences both in the pressroom and behind the scenes.
The title of the book reflects Jean-Pierre’s evolving political perspective; she has decided she no longer identifies as a Democrat, a declaration that stirred up some controversy before the book’s release.
Here are some salient points from her memoir:
Jean-Pierre denies claims about Biden’s mental decline
Jean-Pierre firmly asserts that she observed no signs of cognitive decline in President Biden, even in light of a troubling televised debate with Trump that marked a turning point in his campaign.
She attributes Biden’s debate performance to a cold and exhaustion from travel, rather than any cognitive issues.
She also challenges claims made in “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which suggest a cover-up of Biden’s supposed mental breakdown. “I watched Biden every day and saw no such decline,” she emphasized, noting her lack of interest in reading that book as its main premise didn’t align with her observations in the White House.
Jean-Pierre expressed dismay over events during the chaotic period leading to Biden’s exit from the race, particularly the involvement of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as an op-ed by actor George Clooney, which she found shocking and hurtful.
Details of Biden’s withdrawal from the race
A significant moment in the book is when Jean-Pierre recounts finding out about Biden’s decision to withdraw from his re-election campaign.
On the day in question, she consciously avoided morning political discussions due to speculation about Biden’s future, but an unexpected meeting invitation popped up on her phone around 1 p.m. When she joined the Zoom call, she wasn’t prepared for the presence of not just White House staff but Biden himself.
Though she can’t recall his exact words, she was struck by their clarity; the news of his withdrawal quickly became public. “I am stunned and confused,” she reflected, feeling both anger and heartbreak over how Biden was treated by his own party.
Her lack of faith in Harris’s prospects
One surprising revelation in Jean-Pierre’s narrative is her belief that Harris would struggle to win the presidency.
This wasn’t due to a lack of respect for Harris’s abilities; rather, Jean-Pierre seems to doubt whether the pervasive issues of racism and sexism could be overcome. She recalls waking up on election night to the disappointing news of Harris’s defeat, contrary to the shock expressed by her friends. “I never believed Harris would win,” she admitted.
“My whole life I’ve been a black woman. From standing at the podium in the White House to navigating public life, I’ve faced significant scrutiny and suspicion that made it hard for me to envision a president who looks like me,” she commented.
The internal dynamics of the White House
This book isn’t merely a tale of grievances.
Jean-Pierre shows loyalty to Biden, Harris, and many others in her orbit, praising former First Lady Jill Biden as a vital source of support.
However, she does reveal a complex relationship with some members of the White House team, noting that in early 2024, certain figures began to push for her ousting, including the leaking of negative information to the press. This originated from someone who had once been supportive.
She attributes some of the tension to disagreements over her going to Israel after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Overall, she credits the negativity to those who struggled to accept her assertiveness in her position.
Perspective on double standards
While Jean-Pierre points out flaws in the Democratic Party, she makes it clear that she finds the current Republican party, particularly under Trump, to be far more problematic.
She characterizes it as an “extremist, authoritarian right-wing movement,” noting her frustration with perceived media double standards. It seems there’s a pattern where Democrats, including Biden and Harris, face stricter scrutiny compared to their Republican counterparts.
Jean-Pierre expresses anger at the media’s often harsh treatment of Biden, especially in contrast to how Trump’s odd behavior tends to be downplayed, highlighting differences in coverage and expectations.
