Staff Reports
With the dawning of a new administration just around the corner, the question on everyone’s mind is what changes will come with it. The upcoming inauguration seems to signify a complete overhaul of the team that has been navigating the stormy seas of the Biden White House. Among those who will be packing up and moving on is Karine Jean-Pierre, the Press Secretary who has had a time to remember—or rather, one she’d probably like to forget.
In a social media post, Jean-Pierre left what can best be described as an emotional message to her team. She expressed her gratitude, proclaiming them to be “the best team in the business.” This is a sweet sentiment, especially considering the job has not been a cakewalk. However, it raises a peculiar question: How would her tenure look without this “amazing group”? One might wonder if her confidence was helped along by an ever-enthusiastic support squad, much like a cheerleader who, despite frequent defeats, still gives her all. Ah, the memories!
While camaraderie in tough jobs is a wonderful asset, Jean-Pierre’s time in office has been likened to that of a sports team that can’t seem to win a game. The Chicago White Sox, for instance, recently experienced one of the worst seasons in baseball, losing a staggering 121 games. Comparatively, Jean-Pierre’s tenure may not have been a sporting success either. When tasked with defending the President’s decisions, she struggled to keep up, often stumbling her way through press briefings that left both the press corps and the public scratching their heads.
The critics have been relentless, pointing out that even though Jean-Pierre had the full support of the press, she still faced significant challenges. Instead of taking the reins, it appeared the press had to do a lot of the heavy lifting for her. In an irony that would be funny if it weren’t so serious, it has been said that Jean-Pierre had one of the easiest jobs imaginable: being a Press Secretary for Democrats during a time when the media largely favors their narrative. Yet, somehow, she managed to fall short, leaving some to wonder how one could fail in such a cushy role.
Jean-Pierre has often put on a brave face, even in moments that seemed outright ridiculous. For example, she claimed that the pace of President Biden was so frenetic that her team could “scarcely keep up.” There’s a line between optimism and gaslighting, and many believe Jean-Pierre may have danced over that line a time or two. Phrases like “cheap fakes” became buzzwords in mainstream media; however, many dismissed them as little more than catchphrases desperate to keep narratives afloat.
As the clock ticks down to the administration change, it is becoming increasingly clear that whatever happens next in the White House, Jean-Pierre’s performance has been something of a cautionary tale. The landscape of American politics is rough, but as one chapter ends, another begins. Whether the next Press Secretary will hit the ground running or falter like the previous one remains to be seen; for now, it appears that the keynote of Jean-Pierre’s tenure will simply be: “Next!”
