White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly hung up during a phone interview with a radio host after she was questioned about President Joe Biden's mental fitness.
Jean-Pierre participated in the live radio interview with Charlotte's WBT News Director Mark Garrison on Wednesday. During the interview, Garrison questioned the press secretary on the president's tenure in office and further noted fans of the program expressed concern over Biden's mental capability.
“When I told a number of people that I was talking to you today, it was interesting," Garrison said. "They all said, ‘Would you please just ask her, does the president have dementia?’"
"So, before I move on from that, does he?” he asked.
Jean-Pierre took issue with Garrison and said his question was "incredibly offensive to ask."
Garrison said the question was a notable concern about the president.
"Mark ... you’re taking us down this rabbit hole. Let me, let me, let me be very clear about this,” the press secretary responded. “For the past several years, the president’s physician has laid out very, in a comprehensive way, the president’s health."
Jean-Pierre continued:This is a president — if you watch him every day, if you really pay attention to his record and what he has done, you will see exactly how focused he’s been on the American people, how historic his actions have been. And so, I’m not even going to truly, truly, really, you know, take, take the premise of your question. I think it is incredibly insulting. And, and so we can, you know, we can move on to the next question.
Garrison then transitioned to Biden's handling of the economy in terms of rising fuel and food prices.
"How does Mr. Biden win votes when people don't have as much disposable income?" Garrison asked. “Look, the president understands," Jean-Pierre said. "He grew up in a middle-class family, working class family in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He gets it." "You have to remember, when the president walked into this administration, there were multiple crises happening," she continued. "There was COVID, there was, the economy was in a tailspin because of the last administration, because of what the President Trump left us with.” “Now you’re asking me about gas prices,” she continued. “The president took action on gas prices. Let’s not forget Russia’s invasion on Ukraine skyrocketed prices of gas. And because the president took action, we see we are in a different place than we were a year ago in gas prices. Eggs, milk, seafood products, all the important groceries, those costs have gone down because of what this president has been able to do." "And with that, thank you so much, Mark. Have an amazing, amazing day," Jean-Pierre added before hanging up.
Jean-Pierre insisted Biden understood that Americans are struggling to make ends meet with rising inflation.
Garrison exclaimed "Wow!" as a dial tone is heard in the background.
