Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave Americans a look behind the podium during her speech. vanity fair Work published on Tuesday.
Jean-Pierre, who has chosen to keep her personal life private while working in the Biden-Harris administration, has opened up about her personal health struggles that have taken a toll on her and her family.
Jean-Pierre recalled attending the Biden family's first state dinner in December 2022, saying, “It was the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that the administration felt it was safe to hold a dinner.” said. That night, Jean-Pierre was accompanied by his mother, who said it was “the happiest day of my life.”
This state dinner was the last time Jean-Pierre “recognized my mother as the woman I grew up with.” Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse, and just a few months later, her mother was diagnosed with Stage II colon cancer. Jean-Pierre learned of his mother's illness while visiting Poland with then-President Joe Biden.
“My mother has always been a private person. When she finally accepted reality, she said to me, 'Don't tell anyone. Don't tell the president that I have cancer.'” the former press secretary wrote.
White House reporters look back on their coverage of the reclusive Biden and what they expect from their coverage of Trump
Then-White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on October 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden was said to be “one of the few people in the White House” who knew what Jean-Pierre's mother was going through. Jean-Pierre said Biden “showed up for me” during a difficult time.
Jean-Pierre and his siblings were cared for by their mother and drove to New York “to see her every weekend,” but stopped at night to get “a few hours of sleep” before heading to the White House. I came back late.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 9, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Despite his very public role in the Biden-Harris administration, a “second full-time job” coordinating care for his mother, Jean-Pierre says being a “private citizen” is something he feels uncomfortable with. explained that this was just one of the reasons why he did not do so. Announces her mother's battle with cancer. The former press secretary also said that he worked while feeling the “weight” of being a “first.”
“I'm the first black press secretary. I'm the first press secretary of color. I'm the first openly gay press secretary. I'm the first Haitian-American immigrant press secretary. All of the above. This is my first time as a press secretary, which means I have a certain responsibility to the community I represent, which goes beyond the responsibilities listed in my job description. ” Jean-Pierre wrote.
Karine Jean Pierre's most memorable moments of 2024
Jean-Pierre also believes that sharing her mother's diagnosis is an “excuse” because “society doesn't acknowledge that women of color are vulnerable in the workplace. You don't understand that the first time.” He claimed that he believed that he would be considered a benefit of the doubt. “
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took over the role in May 2022 when Jen Psaki left for MSNBC. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
While in the White House briefing room, Jean-Pierre faced criticism for a series of embarrassing and controversial scenes.
In one of his most infamous moments, Jean-Pierre accused the media and others of creating a “cheap fake” that made Biden appear “particularly frail or mentally disturbed.” As Americans question whether their commander-in-chief is capable of carrying out his mission, Jean-Pierre chalks up what he calls “misinformation” and “disinformation” to the nation. It was gaslighting.
After Biden voiced opposition by labeling Georgia's voting laws “Jim Crow 2.0,” Jean-Pierre raised eyebrows by claiming that “high turnout and voter suppression can go together.” Ta.
Jean-Pierre was also tasked with reversing the president's denial that he could pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Despite the president's repeated vows not to pardon his son, Jean-Pierre said, “Things have changed.” She also placed the blame on then-President-elect Trump, saying he was trying to protect her son from Republican “retaliation.”
Jean-Pierre replaced his predecessor, Jen Psaki, in May 2022, after serving as Biden's press secretary for nearly a year and a half. In handing over the reins to Jean-Pierre, Psaki called her successor a “remarkable individual” before listing her qualifications for the position.
