In her first briefing since Tuesday’s election, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the Democratic loss, attributing it to “global headwinds.” She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, disrupted supply chains worldwide, impacting many leaders.
When asked if President Joe Biden felt responsible for Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat by President-elect Trump, Jean-Pierre confirmed his sense of accountability. “Biden takes responsibility for the loss,” she stated. Notably, she explained how the pandemic’s global disruptions negatively impacted several incumbent leaders, including Biden. “Despite all the accomplishments we achieved, global headwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic affected incumbents,” she added.
While Jean-Pierre briefly addressed the election’s outcome, she deferred further analysis to political experts. “We’ll be mindful and leave the political analysis to the pundits,” she said, adding that these results reflect the common challenges many global leaders currently face. “There will be extensive post-mortem analysis in the coming days, weeks, and even months,” she noted.
Jean-Pierre went on to emphasize that Biden remains proud of his administration’s accomplishments and his decision to support Harris as the Democratic candidate. “When the time came to pass the torch, the party rallied behind Harris,” she said. Additionally, Jean-Pierre noted Biden’s commitment to leaving a strong economy for the next administration. She also highlighted that Biden’s vision for America’s values persists as essential. “The struggle for the soul of America… still matters today,” she said.
Finally, Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden and Harris fully accepted the election’s outcome. “President Biden and Vice President Harris accepted the choice made by the country. We cannot re-write history,” she asserted. She also recalled the administration’s achievements during the 2022 midterms, describing them as particularly successful for a new administration. “The President’s policies were popular with the American people,” she concluded.
