MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell has condemned the behavior of the White House press corps towards White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, calling it "grotesque" and "unfair."
MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell has fiercely defended White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre after a contentious press briefing on Monday. O'Donnell accused the press corps of "out of control" and "aggressive" behavior towards Jean-Pierre, who repeatedly declined to confirm that Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson's disease, had visited President Biden in the past year.
During the briefing, Jean-Pierre cited security and privacy concerns for not referencing Cannard's name, despite his being listed in public visitor logs. This led to a heated exchange with CBS correspondent Ed O'Keefe, who accused Jean-Pierre of "dodging" questions.
MSNBC Host Defends Jean-Pierre from 'Grotesque' Press
O'Donnell, in his defense of Jean-Pierre on "The Last Word," argued that the contention arose because she didn't provide the answers that The New York Times and other reporters demanded, leading to an "unfair" and "out of control" display of aggression. He maintained that Jean-Pierre was attempting to be responsive while respecting the limitations of what she could reveal.
Following the briefing, White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor released a letter confirming Cannard's visits. O'Donnell declared that the controversy was now resolved and attributed the earlier conflict to the press corps's "grotesque behavioral overreaction."
MSNBC Host Defends Jean-Pierre from 'Grotesque' Press
However, O'Donnell acknowledged that Cannard's name was listed in the public White House visitor logs. He used this to criticize former President Donald Trump for withholding such information, contrasting it with the Biden administration's transparency in releasing the logs.
In his critique of the Trump administration, O'Donnell highlighted the lack of public knowledge about the number of neurologists or cardiologists who visited the White House during Trump's presidency. He emphasized that the press corps's current focus on Cannard's visits was a result of the Biden administration's decision to make visitor logs public.
MSNBC Host Defends Jean-Pierre from 'Grotesque' Press
O'Donnell's defense of Jean-Pierre comes amid broader criticism of the press corps's tactics. Other reporters have accused Jean-Pierre of being evasive and unwilling to provide clear answers. However, O'Donnell maintains that these criticisms are unfounded and that Jean-Pierre was handling the situation as best she could within the constraints of her role.
The incident has sparked a debate about the appropriate balance between press scrutiny and respect for the privacy of government officials. Some argue that the press should hold the government accountable and press for transparency, while others believe that excessive questioning and aggressive tactics can hinder the government's ability to function effectively.
MSNBC Host Defends Jean-Pierre from 'Grotesque' Press
