WH spokeswoman Jean-Pierre slammed for defending Biden's cognitive ability amid special counsel report
WASHINGTON, DC: White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre defended President Joe Biden's cognitive ability and memory in a press conference followed by a special counsel report that posed concerns about his fitness to serve, reported The Guardian.
Special Counsel Robert Hur released a report on February 8 regarding the President's retention of classified documents. However, the report made headlines for describing the incumbent as an "elderly man with a poor memory."
The 81-year-old President seeking re-election lashed out against the report in a press conference, claiming, "My memory's fine."
White House spokeswoman understates Biden's recent gaffes
Jean-Pierre firmly defended the President's ability to hold office despite his recent gaffes, where he got confused with the names of national leaders.
"This is a president that has had relationships with world leaders for more than 40 years," the White House spokeswoman said.
"Has he misspoken, as many of us [have]?"
In a press briefing on February 8, Biden mixed up the names of Mexico's and Egypt's presidents.
Karine Jean-Pierre on why Biden referred to the president of Egypt as the "president of Mexico": "This is a president that has, this has had relationships with world leaders for more than 40 years. He has." pic.twitter.com/zpUyPyWbTL
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 9, 2024
Jean-Pierre then referred to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's views of the President as a sharp negotiator and added, "He gets it. He gets how he's viewed. He gets what people see and what's written about him and what the American people also see. But there are other things to know."
In another embarrassing event, the incumbent claimed to have met former German chancellor Helmut Kohl in 2021, who died four years ago. In addition, he also found difficulty in remembering the name of Hamas while speaking about the ongoing hostage negotiations deal with Israel.
The special counsel report, along with the series of Biden's confusions, put a bombshell on Biden's re-election bid despite him leading the Democratic presidential primary.
Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney called the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment after the "alarming" report to explore the removal of Biden from the position.
At the same time, GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley demanded the President to "immediately" take a mental competency test and share it with the public.
Internet reacts to White House spokeswoman's remarks
Netizens suggested the issue would subside if the President took a cognitive test. However, a majority of social media users opined the White House was trying to do damage control.
One user said, "This could be settled if Biden took a cognitive test."
Another user remarked, "Damage control!!" A third user added, "I don't believe one word they say. NOT ONE."
One user wrote, "All this damage control is hilariously inadequate."
"The fact that she has to make a statement tells you it’s a problem," another added.
The fact that she has to make a statement tells you it’s a problem.
— josef (@josef38211953) February 9, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.