CNN senior White House correspondent Kayla Touche on Wednesday asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre why she was appearing on “The View” for the first time since President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
Jean-Pierre had not held a press conference since Biden announced he was dropping out of the race on Sunday, but he first publicly addressed Biden's withdrawal during an appearance on “The View” on Tuesday. Jean-Pierre held his first press conference in nine days on Wednesday, following growing confusion among Democrats about their support for Biden since the June 27 debate.
“It's been nine days since the press conference and the president obviously officially announced on Sunday that he was withdrawing from the race. Why did he make his initial comments about that decision on television and not in a press conference?” Touche asked. (RELATED: 'Hidden from the American public': Doocy directly demands KJP reveal who covered up Biden's mental condition)
“No, I appreciate that. We always follow this practice. When the President is not here, there are no briefings,” Jean-Pierre replied. “It's just the way it's always been. The interview I did yesterday was scheduled two or three weeks in advance, long before the President made the decision. That's all.”
CNN reporter asks KJP why he appeared on “The View” before a press conference after Biden dropped out of the race pic.twitter.com/YiXYaSLFjS
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Jean-Pierre told “The View” co-hosts on Tuesday that Biden's departure was the “right thing” for the country and that Vice President Kamala Harris is the “right person” to lead the country. He also told co-host Alyssa Farrah Griffin that it was “ridiculous” that Republicans were concerned about Biden's ability to perform for the remainder of his term.
“I think it's really ridiculous,” Jean-Pierre said on “The View” Tuesday, “But what I'm saying is, the president has decided not to run for reelection, that's all. That's his decision. He wants to continue what he's done after three and a half years of unprecedented, historic work. I think that shows what he's capable of. I think that shows how important his leadership is.”
The president returned to the White House on Tuesday afternoon after having been treated for COVID-19 at his private residence in Delaware since July 17. Biden is scheduled to address the American people on Wednesday evening for the first time since announcing his withdrawal from the race in an “X” digital statement.
Biden reportedly spoke by phone with Harris campaign staff on Monday during a scheduled conference call. meeting Tuesday's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was postponed.
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