White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly left a briefing on Monday following another heated exchange with Fox News senior correspondent Peter Doocy regarding what constitutes “misinformation.” Doocy pressed Jean-Pierre on Vice President Kamala Harris’ weekend announcement of over $150 million in aid to Lebanon, emphasizing that American citizens in the southeastern United States had not yet fully understood the extent of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene.
He also pointed out that the Biden-Harris administration had previously indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not have sufficient funding to last through the remainder of hurricane season, as reported by the Daily Wire.
“President Biden is fond of saying, ‘Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.’ If he’s got money for people in Lebanon right now without Congress having to come back, what does it say about his values [if] there’s not enough money right now for people in North Carolina who need it?” Doocy asked.
“His values?” Jean-Pierre quizzed.
“That’s not misinformation,” Doocy stated.
“No, it is,” Jean-Pierre interjected. “Your whole premise of the question is misinformation, Sir!”
“Excuse me?” Doocy responded.
“What you don’t — yes, yes, it’s misinformation! I just mentioned $200 million to folks who are impacted in the area. And I just shared with you that people are deciding not to —” Jean-Pierre pivoted, going on to suggest that the real problem was Republicans who were claiming that FEMA under Biden-Harris was not doing enough to help, which then caused people who might need help to not ask for it.
Doocy recounted Biden’s urgent letter to Congress, appealing for additional funding for FEMA, which was facing a critical shortage of funds. “The president’s letter is not misinformation. Would you agree?” Doocy asked the rattled press secretary. She responded: “No, the way you’re asking me the question is misinformation. There is money that we are allocating to the impacted areas. And there’s money there to help people who truly need it. There are survivors who need the funding, who need the funding, and it’s there.”
But Doocy didn’t hesitate to reply: “You can’t call a question that you don’t like ‘misinformation.’”
“I actually said we have the money available to help survivors of Hurricane Helene and also Hurricane Milton. Now, there’s going to be a shortfall, right? Because we don’t know how bad Hurricane Milton is going to be. And so, we’re going to need additional funding,” she said again. Doocy said: “That’s exactly what I just asked about, and you said it was misinformation.”
“What you’re asking me is why Congress needs to come back and do their job. That’s what you’re asking me. Congress needs to come back and do their job and provide extra assistance, extra funding to disaster relief fund,” Jean-Pierre said, as she began packing up her binder and preparing to storm out. “That’s what Congress needs to do, and we’re gonna continue to urge that. You may not want that, but that’s ok. That’s what this president wants, and that’s what the vice president wants.”
WATCH:
Must watch TV as the Press Briefing leads to KJP storming out
Peter Doocy & KJP get heated over Biden sending money to Lebanon without Congressional approval but refusing to do so for North Carolina.
Doocy: “You can’t call a question you don’t like misinformation.” pic.twitter.com/4kgaVqW0s0
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) October 7, 2024
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.