Karine Jean-Pierre Reveals Biden’s Decision to Exit Race

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre disclosed how she learned about Joe Biden‘s decision to withdraw from the presidential race during a senior staff Zoom call. This revelation comes ahead of the release of her upcoming book, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” which is set to be published on October 21, 2023.

In an excerpt shared with Newsweek, Jean-Pierre described the unexpected call that occurred last summer. She recounted being invited to a meeting with senior advisers, including Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director, and other key figures from Biden’s campaign, where she learned that Biden would be making a public announcement about his withdrawal shortly.

Jean-Pierre recalled her feelings of apprehension as she prepared for the call. “The invitation had been sent to senior advisers, myself, LaBolt, Tom Perez, and Stephen Benjamin, all of whom were usually part of our daily chief of staff meeting at 8:15 a.m.,” she wrote. “The impromptu gathering left me with mixed feelings. It had to be one of two things—one of the scenarios unimaginable.”

When the meeting commenced, Jean-Pierre was startled to see Biden among the participants. She described her reaction: “My mind went into overdrive. My heart began to pound.” When Biden appeared on screen, he delivered the surprising news: “Hey everyone, it’s Joe,” he began, explaining his decision not to seek reelection. Jean-Pierre noted that Biden expressed his belief that the damage done during the campaign was insurmountable and that he intended to endorse Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre vividly recalled her emotional response during the call. “On the call, Biden seemed to be totally at peace with his decision, but I was stunned, my feelings a blur. I was angry and sad,” she wrote. She voiced her frustration over Biden’s treatment by members of his own party after dedicating over 50 years to public service. “It was horrible,” she added.

In the weeks leading up to Biden’s announcement, Jean-Pierre had defended him against concerns regarding his capability, dismissing viral videos of the president as “cheap fakes” that had been edited. This experience of witnessing Biden’s struggle within the party ultimately influenced her choice to leave the Democratic Party.

Following Biden’s announcement, officials within the Biden administration criticized Jean-Pierre’s disclosure, with some labeling it a “grift.” Reflecting on the turmoil, she noted, “There’d been too much going on to really focus on my own analysis or takeaways of what happened.” The call ignited a desire within her to pursue a different path, one more aligned with her beliefs.

“I told a friend, ‘You know what? I’m going to become an independent. I don’t think I can stomach being in the Democratic Party anymore,’” she shared. Jean-Pierre’s journey from the White House to becoming an independent illustrates the deep divisions and challenges within the political landscape. Her forthcoming memoir promises to shed further light on her experiences and the inner workings of a turbulent administration.