KJP Tries To Clean Up Disastrous Anti-Semitism Answer; Only Makes Matters Worse

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attempted to do some damage control after one of her responses during Monday’s press briefing sparked backlash from both sides of the political aisle.

In a post to X, Jean-Pierre responded to some of the criticisms — namely that she had blown off concerns about a rising tide of anti-Semitism in the United States and had instead focused her attention on hate crimes against Muslims.

“To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel,” she said. “That’s why the President mobilized his homeland security team to address any potential threats that could harm Jewish communities, as well as Muslim, Arab American, and Palestinian American communities.”

To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. https://t.co/oMeFDmZK66

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) October 23, 2023

Critics were not impressed with her attempt to recover the fumble, and said so via X.

“Weird how you didn’t say that when asked directly,” Megyn Kelly said.

“To be clear: it did not seem that you or the president are very concerned at all about the rise in Jew hatred. Say it from the podium, don’t take to your twitter account,” Karol Markowicz added.

To be clear: it did not seem that you or the president are very concerned at all about the rise in Jew hatred. Say it from the podium, don't take to your twitter account. https://t.co/C7uUB2sRe5

— Karol Markowicz (@karol) October 24, 2023

“The White House always says ‘to be clear’ right when they’re in the middle of wildly confusing us,” Kate Hyde posted.

When pressed on Monday about the rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric and demonstrations — on American college campuses and elsewhere — and whether the White House was concerned about the threat of anti-Semitic violence, Jean-Pierre pivoted almost immediately to address anti-Muslim hate instead.

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“We have not seen any credible threats,” she said of the possibility that Jews in the United States could be targeted. “But look, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks.”

"What is [Biden's] level of concern right now about a potential rise of antisemitism?"

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks" pic.twitter.com/q1WYkpbKmn

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 23, 2023

Critics pushed back, former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer among them: “This is the most tone-deaf answer ever. The question was about anti-Semitism and KJP talks about threats to Muslim Americans. I guess the fact that Jews are attacked doesn’t register with her.”

“What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) said.

What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better. https://t.co/RdYhPTFpHa

— Jared Moskowitz 🟧 (@JaredEMoskowitz) October 23, 2023