Leavitt says Jean-Pierre lacked open communication with the Biden White House
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White House Press Secretary, Caroline Leavitt, said on Thursday that her predecessor, Karine Jean-Pierre, struggled in this position because she did not have an open relationship with former President Joe Biden.
Leavitt spoke in an interview with Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, saying that President Donald Trump’s “authentic” approach removes the need to get involved in politics.
“I saw my predecessor in this role with difficulty,” Leavitt said, referring to Jean-Pierre. “I think it’s because he couldn’t communicate with his boss in an open and transparent way.”
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White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt speaks during the Turning Point USA event at George Washington University in Washington, DC, on April 2. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In contrast, Leavitt described Trump as “honest” and open about his views with employees and the public.
“He just puts it on the table. No guesses, no questions, no spin, it’s just, that’s what he’s got,” Leavitt said.
Jean-Pierre served as press secretary for nearly three years under Biden. He has often been criticized by Republican lawmakers for relying too much on memos and struggling to discuss the president’s positions beyond prepared remarks.
He has repeatedly defended Biden’s mental acuity from the podium, although recent reports suggest that even the president’s aides had doubts about his ability to do the job.
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Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on December 6, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Leavitt said Trump’s openness about his views made his job easier. However, he has faced criticism for his unfiltered posts on social media.
“We don’t know what he is [going to] find out when you enter the White House these days. Every day is an adventure,” Leavitt said.
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Since leaving the White House, Jean-Pierre has registered as an Independent and wrote about that decision in his new memoir. In a podcast interview promoting his book, he defended Biden’s communication style.
Caroline Leavitt, press secretary at the White House, held a press conference on Monday, March 30. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
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“The president would talk to the American people several times a week. He would travel and do a domestic tour and talk directly to the American people,” Jean-Pierre said on “The Bulwark” podcast last October.
“We’re talking about a very partisan political time. It’s hard to break through any messages, and it was inappropriate,” he added.
Jean-Pierre also pushed back on claims about Biden’s age, telling “CBS Mornings” that he saw someone who was “always engaged.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Jean-Pierre for comment.
