KJP Refuses to Comment on Tucker Carlson’s Claim That Biden Tried to Stop Putin Interview – But Then Calls Allegation ‘Ridiculous’
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre caused some confusion in the briefing room on Tuesday when answering a question about Tucker Carlson.
Earlier in the day, Carlson teased an upcoming interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin on his Twitter program. The former Fox News has defended the Russian autocrat, even after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Not surprisingly, Carlson has been a vocal opponent of U.S. aid to the besieged country and clips of his show have run on Russian state media.
“Almost three years ago, the Biden administration illegally spied on our text messages and then leaked the contents to their servants in the news media,” Carlson claimed on Tuesday. “They did this in order to stop a Putin interview that we were planning. Last month, we’re pretty certain they did the exact same thing once again, but this time we came to Moscow anyway.”
Jean-Pierre took a question about the video during Tuesday’s press briefing.
“Carlson contended in his preview video the Biden administration has opposed and even attempted to hinder his attempts to interview Putin,” The New York Post’s Steven Nelson began before Jean-Pierre interrupted.
“Wait, say that last part again,” she said.
Nelson repeated the claim and asked for a reaction. Her response elicited a follow-up question from James Rosen of Newsmax:
REPORTER: Do you have a comment on either the interview or that allegation?
JEAN-PIERRE: Absolutely not.
ROSEN: Absolutely not a comment or absolutely not that didn’t happen?
JEAN-PIERRE: Absolutely not a comment, to be more clear. Period.
The press secretary then fielded a question from the reporter about the southern border, but she returned to Carlson’s allegation:
JEAN-PIERRE: I actually want to go back to your question. It’s a ridiculous premise and a ridiculous statement that was made about this administration. So, I just want to be – just want to be very, very clear. It’s ridiculous.
Watch above via the White House.
