White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly hung up in the middle of a radio interview with a Charlotte news reporter Tuesday after she was asked if President Biden has dementia.
Ms. Jean-Pierre bristled at the question asked by WBT radio News Director Mark Garrison, insisting it was both “insulting” and “offensive.”
The interview was aimed at pumping up North Carolina residents for a visit to the key battleground state by Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to highlight the administration’s work on expanding the Affordable Care Act.
“When I told a number of people I was talking to you today, it was interesting, they all said ‘Would you please just ask her, does the president have dementia?’” Mr. Garrison asked Ms. Jean-Pierre, according to a recording on the WBT website on Tuesday.
“I can’t even believe you are asking me this question. That is an incredibly offensive question to ask,” she shot back.
Mr. Garrison responded, “But you know people ask it…” before he was interrupted by Ms. Jean-Pierre.
“You are taking us down this rabbit hole,” she said. “Let me be very clear about this, for the past several years the president’s physician has laid out in a comprehensive way the president’s health. If you really pay attention to his record and what he’s done, you will see exactly how focused he’s been on the American people. How historic his actions have been.”
“I’m not even going to truly, truly take the premise of your question,” she continued, raising her voice. “It is incredibly insulting and we can move on to the next question.”
Mr. Garrison attempted to move on by asking about gas prices. Ms. Jean-Pierre briefly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for rising prices before abruptly hanging up the phone.
“And with that, thank you so much, Mark. Have an amazing, amazing day,” she said before hanging up, leaving the hosts listening to a dial tone.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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