Jean-Pierre Grilled Over Biden’s ‘New Excuse’ Jetlag Was Responsible For Disastrous Debate: ‘Is That Really What He Thinks?’

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded questions about President Joe Biden’s health on Tuesday, this time addressing Biden’s mentioning at a fundraiser that he blamed jetlag for his bad performance at last week’s presidential debate.

Seung Min Kim of the Associated Press seemed skeptical when she asked Jean-Pierre about the comment, which Biden made at a fundraiser on Monday. But Jean-Pierre volleyed by saying it wasn’t an “excuse,” it was part of the explanation:

Seung Min Kim: Last night at the fundraiser, the president blamed jetlag for his debate performance. But he was back stateside for well over a week. So does he really need more than a week and a half to recover from traveling and carousing? Did he really, is that really what he thinks caused his poor debate performance?

Jean-Pierre: So, yeah, just a couple of things, and I do appreciate the question because you know, the president has certainly spoken to this many, many times about the debate. And so he had an opportunity to do that in front of supporters. And as you just stated he did that, he talked about, he owned that the debate was not his best night. And he said himself, it’s not an excuse, but it’s an explanation. I was standing here yesterday and many people were asking “Why?” and what’s the explanation. And that’s what you heard from him.

Look, the two, I think, in addition to the two major trips, he was also doing, continued to do his presidential duties. He worked late in doing that, and he also prepared for the debate. And on top of that, there was obviously the jet lag, as you just asked about. And also he had a cold. And you all heard directly you heard from him during the debate. He had a hoarse voice. Many of you reached out to me and my team and some other members of the White House asking what was going on. We confirmed that he had a cold. And so I think those two things, continuing, obviously, to do his duties as commander-in-chief, as the president. And so I think, some of you here in this room can certainly relate to, you know, what could happen when you’re having an an important moment and you’re not feeling well. And also you wish you could have done better. And, so he took ownership. I think that’s important.

Watch the video above via CNN.