A former White House aide says it would have been better if President Joe Biden’s press secretary admitted his unfortunate gaffe about the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) was a mistake.
Symone Sanders, a former spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, was asked about the flub.
“Look, Karine Jean-Pierre has a very tough job. I think she goes out there every single day, and a number of people could not do what she does every day,” Sanders said.
She went on, “I think it’s very clear that the president had a slip of the tongue, obviously. And I’m sure he is extremely apologetic to the family of the congresswoman if he caused them any more trauma or agony.”
Sanders said she believes “everyone understands that the president, unfortunately, uniquely understands how the family is feeling.”
“And I’m sure he made that very clear to them when they came to the White House on Friday,” she said. “Just acknowledge he had a slip of the tongue, move on; it’s unfortunate, again, life is here. He understands and empathizes. I think that’s what’s most important here. And I think Karine did try to do that,” she added.
Watch the video below:
WATCH: At an event this week, President Biden called out for Rep. Jackie Walorski, who died this year.
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 2, 2022
Karine Jean-Pierre says the congresswoman was "top of mind."@SymoneDSanders: "It's very clear the president had the slip of the tongue, obviously. … It's unfortunate." pic.twitter.com/weROJiIYS4
Her comments refer to a moment during the White House conference on hunger and nutrition when Biden was seen asking about Walorski, who died in a car accident in August.
“Representative Jackie, are you here? Where’s Jackie?” Biden asked, adding, “She must not be here.”
In case you missed it:
“Where’s Jackie?” Biden asks, referring to Rep. Jackie Walorski, who died in a car accident in August.
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) September 28, 2022
The WH was going to play a tribute video to her during this event. pic.twitter.com/FXZKmqEBW0
To be fair to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, there is not an easy way to explain or defend Biden’s gaffe.
However, she chose probably the worst way.
During a press conference after the event, Jean-Pierre told reporters the president knew Walorksi was dead and she was “top of mind.”
The press secretary also said she did not believe the incident was “all that unusual.”
It would have been a lot better if Jean-Pierre had told reporters what Sanders said. But instead, she bizarrely tried to act as though it were completely normal. Now, reporters are asking why Biden was looking for Walorski if he knew she had died recently and was “top of mind” for him.