White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tried to do some damage control after she stuck her foot in her mouth, getting backlash from both sides of the political spectrum.
KJP was criticized for blowing off concerns about the increase of anti-Semitism in the United States and focusing on hate crimes against Muslims.
“To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel,” she said. “That’s why the President mobilized his homeland security team to address any potential threats that could harm Jewish communities, as well as Muslim, Arab American, and Palestinian American communities.”
To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. https://t.co/oMeFDmZK66
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) October 23, 2023
Critics were not impressed with her answer.
“Weird how you didn’t say that when asked directly,” Megyn Kelly said.
“To be clear: it did not seem that you or the president are very concerned at all about the rise in Jew hatred. Say it from the podium, don’t take to your twitter account,” Karol Markowicz added.
The backlash started after a October 23, 2023 press briefing when KJP was asked about the rise of anti-Semtic rhetoric and demonstrations at college campuses.
“We have not seen any credible threats,” she said. “But look, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks.”
“What is [Biden’s] level of concern right now about a potential rise of antisemitism?”
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: “Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks” pic.twitter.com/q1WYkpbKmn
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 23, 2023
Meanwhile…
George Washington University – students are projecting horrifying messages onto a school library building glorifying Hamas terrorists that beheaded babies, raped teenage girls, and murdered 1400+ people.
We call on President @PresidentofGW to immediately expel those involved.… pic.twitter.com/tecz0R7zF2
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 25, 2023
A Jewish man was violently assaulted by a mob of pro Palestinian supporters at a Chicago area (Skokie) protest yesterday.
Every single one of the individuals involved must be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law @skokiepolice pic.twitter.com/wzWxKn9igT
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 23, 2023
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) – a man is filmed ripping down posters of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
When asked why, he replied back with “what about the Palestinian children” and proceeds to mock the woman’s Israeli accent, calling it and where she… pic.twitter.com/BTJFU54hzM
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 22, 2023
