Outgoing White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre left reporters stunned while desperately trying to avoid giving credit to President Donald Trump during her final briefing.
A tentative ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which includes the release of hostages, has drawn significant attention for being the most promising development in the ongoing conflict.
The Biden-Harris administration initially attempted to claim credit for the deal.
However, the narrative shifted as reports emerged highlighting Trump’s influence in bringing the parties to the negotiating table.
The ceasefire comes amid widespread speculation that Hamas’s decision to engage in negotiations was motivated by Trump’s impending return to the White House.
“The only reason why this ever got this far is because Hamas knows Donald Trump is coming back,” one source close to the negotiations suggested.
During a briefing on Wednesday, Bloomberg’s Jenny Leonard pressed Jean-Pierre, pointing out that Biden’s State Department credited Trump’s team for securing the deal.
Leonard stated, “Your colleague at the State Department briefed our colleagues that President Trump was critical in getting this deal over the line.
“Do you not agree with that statement?”
Jean-Pierre deflected, initially denying knowledge of State Department Spokesman Matt Miller.
She eventually attributed the groundwork for the ceasefire to President Biden, claiming his foreign policy expertise laid the foundation for the agreement.
“What I can say is… this has been going on for some time,” she said.
“It took someone who has the experience that this president had to get this going.”
Jean-Pierre’s handling of the questions was widely criticized, with some observers noting her apparent lack of preparation.
Leonard pressed Jean-Pierre about Miller’s role in briefing reporters, leading to a flustered exchange.
Jean-Pierre responded by smearing Miller, telling reporters that she’s “not going to speak to a random person.”
Leonard then clarified that Miller is the State Department spokesperson and Jean-Pierre’s colleague.
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This misstep, compounded by Jean-Pierre’s lengthy and at times incoherent explanation, left many questioning the administration’s ability to coordinate messaging effectively during critical foreign policy moments.
The Biden-Harris administration has faced mounting criticism over its handling of foreign policy during its tenure.
Some have labeled the last four years as a period of chaos and instability.
Biden’s mental fitness and decision-making have frequently been called into question, particularly during moments of high-stakes diplomacy.
Jean-Pierre’s remarks further fueled this narrative, with critics pointing to her inability to directly address Trump’s role in the ceasefire.
“Have we been coordinating and working closely with the incoming Trump administration’s transition team? Yes,” Jean-Pierre conceded, though she doubled down on Biden’s contributions to the framework.
Despite not yet being in office, Trump and his transition team were acknowledged as instrumental in advancing the ceasefire agreement.
This development marks a significant win for Trump’s incoming administration and signals a shift in diplomatic strategy that may shape the conflict’s resolution.
Meanwhile, as Biden prepares to leave office, his approval ratings remain near record lows.
A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS showed only 36% approval of Biden’s presidency.
Meanwhile, the incoming Trump administration is poised to inherit a complex geopolitical landscape but has already demonstrated its ability to influence critical negotiations.
The ceasefire deal, though tentative, highlights the ongoing political dynamics as the transition of power approaches.
Both administrations are likely to continue jockeying for credit as the situation in Gaza unfolds.