Hilarity ensued as White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned about their supposed “fact-checking” process after Joe Biden mentioned former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s non-existent daughter in a condolence statement following his passing earlier this month.
In the statement, Biden said: “Bill and I crossed paths for the first time decades ago, when he was a staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which I served on as Senator. Over the years, I saw firsthand his passion for politics, love for America, and unflagging belief that, with respect and good faith, people can come together across any difference, no matter how vast. He was a patriot and true original, and will not be forgotten. Jill and I send our love to his family, including his wife of over 50 years, Barbara, and their daughter Heather.”
After, KJP was asked about why that initial statement was later modified. “The initial statement from the President about the passing of Governor Bill Richardson included condolences for his wife of 50 years, Barbara, and their daughter Heather. That line about Heather, the daughter, has been removed because they didn't have a daughter named Heather, or a daughter. So, can you walk us through how these press releases are fact checked, who signs off on them in the end, and then in this case, how this error was made?” KJP was asked.
"You know, we will do our best,” KJP replied, unironically. “What I can say from here and committed to - to saying from here is that we will do our best to make sure that doesn't happen again. Again, it was an error, we apologize, I apologized just now and we certainly removed that, as you just stated, the moment that we realized that error was made.”
Watch below:
It goes without saying that this is just the latest in a series of similarly themed gaffes. Last year, Biden called out for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski while giving opening remarks at a White House event, asking "Jackie, are you here? Where's Jackie? She was going to be here." Walorski had died the month prior.
In another memorable moment, at a 2008 campaign event, Biden asked the late State Sen. Chuck Graham to “stand up Chuck” while praising him. Graham was confined to a wheelchair.
Matt Palumbo is the author of Fact-Checking the Fact-Checkers: How the Left Hijacked and Weaponized the Fact-Checking Industry and The Man Behind the Curtain: Inside the Secret Network of George Soros
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