Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, provided a sharp retort to Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy when he queried the alleged usage of a Southern accent by Vice President Kamala Harris in her recent speeches. The interaction occurred a day after Jean-Pierre dismissed a similar question from Doocy, characterizing it as “insane.”
On Tuesday, September 3, Doocy questioned Jean-Pierre about Harris’ speech delivery, implying that the Vice President had exhibited a Southern accent during campaign events. Jean-Pierre decisively dismissed the question, proclaiming, “I’m not even going to entertain some question about… it’s just, hearing it sounds so ridiculous.”
Jean-Pierre underscored that American citizens are more preoccupied with substantial matters such as the economy, healthcare, and cost reduction, rather than the intricacies of the Vice President’s speech.
Nevertheless, the topic emerged again the subsequent day when Doocy confronted Jean-Pierre with a distinct question, asking, “President Biden’s approval rating is soaring, it’s up 13 percent all the way to 48 percent—does it bother the president that people are so pleased that he’s retiring?”
Jean-Pierre swiftly retorted by questioning Doocy, “Am I hearing a little twang in your voice, Peter?” This intelligent retort prompted laughter from those present in the briefing room. Doocy, seemingly taken aback, responded, “I know better, I know better.”
This interaction showcased the ongoing friction between the White House and certain media entities, especially Fox News, known for its critical coverage of the Biden administration.
The debate over Harris’ accent started following her Labor Day visit to Detroit, Michigan. A few conservative commentators and social media users professed to observe a change in her speech, terming it as “cringe and fake.” The Trump campaign tried to highlight these alleged differences by posting side-by-side clips of Harris speaking at rallies in Detroit, Michigan and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
However, numerous defenders of the Vice President pointed out that the variations in her speech could be attributed to code-switching, a prevalent practice among Black individuals and other minority groups. Code-switching involves adjusting one’s language and expression based on the environment and audience.
This isn’t the first instance where Harris has been critiqued for her speaking style. Previously, she was accused of modifying her accent in various environments, such as using a perceived Southern accent during a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, and allegedly adopting what some termed a “French accent” while touring a COVID-19 lab in France.
Jean-Pierre’s approach to the situation signifies the White House’s strategy in dealing with questions they deem as trivial or distracting. By refusing to discuss the initial question and then turning the tables on the reporter, the press secretary effectively shifted the attention away from the accent controversy.
As the 2024 presidential campaign season gains momentum, scrutiny of both the President and Vice President is expected to escalate. The Biden administration seems ready to counter what they perceive as baseless criticisms while highlighting their policy successes and elevated approval ratings.
