The White House is not scheduling a press briefing Thursday following the conflict that arose over President Joe Biden’s latest gaffe Wednesday of searching for a deceased congresswoman.
Tension arose at Wednesday’s briefing as several reporters repeatedly questioned White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about the president calling out for the late Republican Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski at the conference on nutrition and health. Jean-Pierre repeatedly told the press that Walorski was “on top of mind” for the president, causing him to search for her in the audience.
The White House schedule suddenly does not include a briefing after several reporters shouted out demanding that the president and Jean-Pierre apologize for the incident. The schedule shows that the president is set to depart the White House for a briefing on Hurricane Ian, then return at 1:15 p.m.
He will then leave the White House to host a the U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit at 3 p.m. and return to the White House at 5:20 to host a dinner with the Pacific Island leaders in the State Dining Room, the schedule shows. (RELATED: White House Briefing Erupts As Reporter Yells At Jean-Pierre)
Footage showed the president speaking at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health naming congressmen and officials for their contributions to these issues. Among those he asked was Walorski, who died in a car crash in August. He can be heard saying, “And I want to thank all of you here, including bipartisan elected officials like Representative McGovern, Senator Braun, Senator Booker, Representative — Jackie, you here? Where’s Jackie? I didn’t think she was gonna be here.”
Newsmax’s James Rosen pointed out that he has musician John Lennon on top of mind often but does not go around searching for him. Jean-Pierre said they can have that conversation when he signs a bill for Lennon, leading many reporters to raise concerns about the president’s mental health.
“It’s these moments of confusion, Karine, these moments of confusion are happening frequently,” a female reporter could be heard saying. “Americans are watching this and have concerns. What do you say to that? This is a legitimate question, we need to have some answers.”