White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly dismissed questions about Vice President Kamala Harris' apparent southern accent, deeming them "insane" and irrelevant to the concerns of Americans.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a barrage of questions during a routine briefing on Tuesday regarding Vice President Kamala Harris' apparent shift in dialect. The inquiry arose after a viral video clip from a Labor Day rally in Detroit showcased Harris employing what some described as a "southern accent."
Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy boldly initiated the line of questioning, directly addressing the change in Harris' speech patterns. "Since when does the vice president have what sounds like a southern accent?" Doocy asked.
White House Dismisses Inquiries About Kamala Harris' 'Southern Accent'
Jean-Pierre's immediate reaction was one of visible irritation. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she responded curtly.
Undeterred, Doocy pressed further, citing instances where Harris utilized the same speech pattern in different locations. "Well, she was talking about unions in Detroit using one tone of voice, she used the same line in Pittsburgh, and it sounded like she at least had some kind of southern drawl," Doocy elaborated.
White House Dismisses Inquiries About Kamala Harris' 'Southern Accent'
Jean-Pierre, visibly perturbed, challenged the premise of Doocy's inquiry. "I mean, do you hear the question that you're – I mean, do you think Americans seriously think that this is an important question?" she retorted. "You know what they care about? They care about the economy, they care about lowering costs, they care about health care. That's what they want to hear…democracy and freedom…I'm not going to even entertain some question about … it's just. Hearing it sounds so ridiculous. The question – I'm talking about the question – is just insane."
Doocy persisted, inquiring whether Harris utilized the purported accent in meetings within the White House. Jean-Pierre, however, remained dismissive, abruptly cutting off the line of questioning. "I'm just - Peter, we're moving on. We're so moving on," she declared.
White House Dismisses Inquiries About Kamala Harris' 'Southern Accent'
Harris' alleged fluctuation in accent has drawn scrutiny and criticism, with some accusing her of tailoring her speech patterns to suit different audiences. Critics have highlighted instances where she has employed southern, French, and even Jamaican accents in various settings.
In July, Harris faced similar accusations when she utilized a Southern accent during a rally in Atlanta. Additionally, during her 2021 international trip to France, critics claimed she adopted a "French accent" while touring a COVID laboratory.
White House Dismisses Inquiries About Kamala Harris' 'Southern Accent'
Despite these allegations, neither Harris nor the White House has formally addressed the matter. The focus of the White House remains on addressing the concerns of Americans, as emphasized by Jean-Pierre during the briefing.
