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Karine Jean-Pierre Accidentally Refers to Biden as 'Former President'

 October 19, 2024

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mistakenly referred to President Joe Biden as the "former president" during a media interaction on the way to Berlin, Germany.

The error occurred when Jean-Pierre was addressing a query regarding a meeting between Biden and former President Obama during Ethel Kennedy’s funeral, and the spokesperson referenced Biden as former, not current commander in chief, as the Post Millennial reports.

The comment quickly caught the attention of the press, leading to further scrutiny of an earlier exchange between Biden and Obama.

The press gaggle with Jean-Pierre took place Thursday afternoon as the president's team was en route to Berlin. In the discussion, she addressed several topics, including Biden's presence at the funeral the previous day.

While referring to a conversation between Biden and Obama at the event, Jean-Pierre initially referred to Biden as the "former president," which she would later correct.

The slip arose amid a busy period, as noted by Jean-Pierre, who remarked on the hectic nature of their travel schedule. Attempting to clarify, she said, "The president at the funeral yesterday had a -- what looked like a spirited conversation with former President Obama."

Controversial Moments During the Funeral

At the aforementioned memorial service, an off-mic dialogue between Biden and Obama was reportedly analyzed by a lip reader retained by the New York Post. According to the analysis, Biden supposedly stated, "She’s not as strong as me," seemingly referring to Vice President Harris.

Obama's purported reply, according to the lip reader, was, "I know… that’s true." He then reportedly added, "We have time." This exchange has piqued interest concerning the dynamics within the administration.

A journalist sought clarification from Jean-Pierre on whether she had discussed the conversation with the president.

Jean-Pierre responded, "No, it’s been kind of busy the last couple hours on the plane, as you can imagine," indicating no direct conversation had occurred regarding the matter.

Correcting the Error

Jean-Pierre was asked about Biden’s feelings on the funeral and the interactions that took place. She noted that Biden "appreciated being there," highlighting Kennedy's impactful presence, describing her as an "incredible force" in his life.

Attempting to clarify her earlier verbal mistake, Jean-Pierre again mentioned "former President" before catching herself and correcting the reference. The incident prompted a correction in the official White House transcript, substituting Biden's name with Obama's in brackets.

Despite the confusion this error caused, Jean-Pierre reiterated her lack of further insight into the conversation between Biden and Obama.

She confirmed, "And we have said many times the president and -- and president -- and former President Biden -- they have a very close relationship," which further clarified her reference point.

Impact of the Remarks

The exchange, alongside Jean-Pierre’s remarks, has led to discussions concerning the internal relationships and the current state of the administration.

The Post decision to hire a professional lip reader underscores media interest in the interactions between high-profile figures like Biden and Obama, particularly amid potential leadership shifts.

Jean-Pierre maintained her customary composure throughout the incident, attempting to address other questions related to the purpose and outcomes of the funeral gathering.

In conclusion, this incident highlights the constant scrutiny faced by public officials. When Jean-Pierre unintentionally called Biden the "former president," it ignited conversations about political relationships. This moment, alongside an intriguing exchange between Biden and Obama, underscored the intricacies of leadership dynamics within the current administration.