Karine Jean-Pierre’s political about-face is the talk of the town. The former White House press secretary, once a loyal Democrat, shocked reporters Wednesday by declaring herself an independent. Her announcement, paired with a new book deal, has tongues wagging and eyes rolling.
Fox News reported that Jean-Pierre, who served as Biden’s press secretary, revealed her party switch alongside a book titled “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” set for release in October.
The book promises to dissect the chaotic three weeks before Biden abandoned his re-election bid, blaming the Democratic Party's betrayal. It’s a bold move for someone whose tenure was often criticized as lackluster.
White House reporters, caught off guard, didn’t hold back their skepticism. “I have to pick my jaw up from the floor,” one anonymous reporter told Fox News Digital, stunned by Jean-Pierre’s claim of independence. The idea that she’d abandon her party’s colors feels like a plot twist nobody saw coming.
Jean-Pierre’s book, published by Legacy Lit, a Hachette Book Group division, is already raising eyebrows.
Reporters see it as a desperate bid to salvage a career tarnished by shaky briefings and dodged questions. “Did she find the manuscript somewhere in that fat binder she toted around?” another reporter quipped, dismissing its historical value.
The former press secretary’s Instagram video announcing the book didn’t help her case. She pitched it as a guide for Americans frustrated with the Trump administration, but critics argue it’s a convenient rebrand. Actions have consequences, and Jean-Pierre’s pivot smells like opportunism to many.
During her tenure, Jean-Pierre often faced unflattering comparisons to Jen Psaki, her predecessor. Psaki’s “circle back” promises became a running joke, but Jean-Pierre’s briefings, like one on July 18, 2023, were seen as even less substantive. “Has anyone circled back with Jen Psaki?” a reporter snarked, highlighting the lingering frustration.
Reporters didn’t mince words about Jean-Pierre’s performance. “Many reporters felt like KJP didn’t meet the mark,” one said, pointing to her struggles both on and off camera. Her inability to build rapport with journalists stood in stark contrast to Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt, described as a “star on camera,” mastered reporter relationships across the spectrum. Jean-Pierre, by contrast, seemed to flounder, her briefings often criticized as evasive. “She did such a bad job as press secretary,” a reporter noted, questioning her next steps.
Jean-Pierre’s dismissal of questions about Biden’s fitness as early as 2022 didn’t age well. CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, in their book “Original Sin,” accused the Biden White House of covering up the president’s mental decline. Jean-Pierre’s denials now look like a historical misstep caught on camera.
The third anonymous reporter wasn’t buying Jean-Pierre’s independent streak. “You can’t change who you are just because you check a different box,” they said, calling her party switch a betrayal of character. It’s a harsh but fair jab at a move that feels more calculated than principled.
“It’s also disappointing to see that she would turn her back on her party just because it’s hit a rough patch,” the same reporter added. The Democratic Party’s struggles don’t justify abandoning ship, especially for someone whose career was built on its platform. Loyalty, it seems, is in short supply.
Reagan Reese, a Daily Caller correspondent, took a sarcastic swipe. “Now that she’s independent, I can’t wait to hear what Republicans KJP will be voting for,” she said. The quip underscores the disbelief that Jean-Pierre’s newfound independence is anything but a publicity stunt.
Some reporters speculated Jean-Pierre might pivot to friendly media outlets, but they doubt she’ll generate much buzz. “I don’t think the buzz will be there,” one predicted, citing her lackluster track record. Her book’s success hinges on a skeptical audience willing to give her a second chance.
Another reporter wished Jean-Pierre had shown independence during her White House days. “Maybe then her press briefings would have been useful every once in a while,” they said. It’s a polite but pointed zinger, suggesting her legacy is one of missed opportunities.
