In a recent report by the New York Post, it has been revealed that top aides to President Joe Biden “secretly hatched a plan last fall to replace White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.”
The plot, described as a “coup,” was an attempt to recruit outside allies to nudge Jean-Pierre out the door, ultimately failing.
Black and gay Jean-Pierre had “developed a habit of reading canned answers directly from a binder to reporters at her briefings,” This approach was viewed by her superiors as “less than compelling,” especially in the lead-up to President Biden’s re-election campaign.
I think the biggest takeaway from this story is how deeply inept the White House is. Imagine being a top figure at the White House and being unable to fire Karine Jean-Pierre. 🤣https://t.co/JNy2esRQRx
— Andrew @ Don’t Walk, RUN! (@DontWalkRUN) April 26, 2024
The effort to oust Jean-Pierre reportedly involved Anita Dunn, a top communications chief for Biden, and was intended to encourage Jean-Pierre to leave her position voluntarily.
Sources close to the situation described an “effort to have some outside folks who Karine knows and trusts talk to her about why leaving last fall would have made a lot of sense for her and her career.”
Top WhiteHouse aides to President Biden secretly hatched a failed plan to get rid of DEI hire, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. At the tip of the spear was Anita Dunn – close associate to Jill Biden.
Karin Jean-Pierre's DEI history making credentials included first being… pic.twitter.com/VPgkGfMFZ4
— Vernon Jones (@VernonForGA) April 26, 2024
Despite these attempts, the effort to remove Jean-Pierre from her position failed.
Sources cited concerns over the optics of removing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hire, highlighting a “huge diversity issue” and a fear of backlash from those who view Jean-Pierre’s position as a symbol of progress and representation.
It’s hard to see why anyone would think Karine Jean-Pierre is incompetentpic.twitter.com/PPlLccyqEr
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 26, 2024
Jean-Pierre’s tenure has been marked by several controversial moments, including frequent viral clips in which she would loudly argue with reporters and refuse to provide answers to what viewers saw as reasonable, simple questions. These incidents, coupled with the reported coup attempt, underscore the challenges faced by the Biden administration as it prepares for the upcoming 2024 election.
The failed coup attempt also highlights internal tensions and divisions within the Biden administration, as it attempts to navigate the complex political landscape and maintain a unified front in the face of growing scrutiny. As the White House continues to grapple with these challenges, the spotlight remains on the press secretary’s role in communicating the administration’s message to the American people.
