KJP takes offense to questions about Biden's neurologist, briefing goes sideways [VIDEOS]

In a heated exchange at Monday's press conference, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confronted with CBS reporter Ed O'Keefe about repeated visits by a Parkinson's disease expert to the White House. This comes amid growing scrutiny of Joe Biden's mental health.

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Recent reports, initially from New York Post, revealed that Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist specializing in Parkinson's disease at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, had met with Biden's doctor, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, several times over the past year. Despite Cannard's name appearing in public visitor records, Jean-Pierre has repeatedly refused to confirm these visits, citing security and privacy concerns.

Things are heating up at The White House Briefing pic.twitter.com/lbz0nJCs67

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 8, 2024

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When pressed by Ed O'Keefe, Jean-Pierre replied, “It's a very basic and direct question,” O'Keefe shouted. “That's what you should be able to answer at this point.”

“No, no, no, no, no,” Jean-Pierre snapped back immediately. “Ed, please. Some respect here. Please.”

“So every year around the president's physical, he sees a neurologist. That's three times, right? So I'm telling you, he's seen a neurologist three times while he's been in this presidency. That's what I'm saying,” continued Jean-Pierre. “I tell you he has seen it three times. That's what I'm sharing with you, right? So every time he has a physical exam he has had to see a neurologist. So that's answering that question.”

O'Keefe was not satisfied. “No, it's not,” he insisted. “Has Dr. Kevin Cannard come to the White House specifically about the president's condition?”

“Ed, I also told you for security reasons, we can't share names. We can't share names,” Jean-Pierre reiterated. “We can't share names of specialists in general, from our dermatologist to our neurologist. We can't share names. There are security reasons…”

“They're on the visitor's log. It's public,” O'Keefe replied. “I looked at it before I got here. It's right there for anyone to see.”

KJP has lost operational control of the briefing room due to his dishonesty with the White House press corps.

He is arguing with reporters about their questions.

It's not easy to get on the wrong side of this incredibly professional press corps, but KJP did it today.

— Erin Perrine (@ErinMPerrine) July 8, 2024

“Ed, I hear you,” Jean-Pierre replied. “I can't confirm any of that from here because we have to maintain their privacy. I think they'd appreciate that too.”

With the help of NBC correspondent Kelly O'Donnell, who pointed out that Cannard's visits are public, Jean-Pierre tried to shut down the confrontation. “There is no reason to go back and forth with me in this aggressive way,” he scolded reporters.

“Well, we're upset over here about what's been shared with the press corps about him,” expressed a frustrated O'Keefe.

This WH briefing is spicy

The press corps is not happy with KJP's answers

— Aishah Hasnie (@aishahhasnie) July 8, 2024

Jean-Pierre replied, “What are you angry about?”

“Everything he just asked,” O'Keefe pointed out to Miller, referring to the lack of clarity about Biden's latest medical consultations.

Jean-Pierre stood his ground, stating, “I'm telling you right now I'm not sharing, confirming the names here. It's a security reason. I'm not going to do that, Ed. No matter how you push me, no matter how you mad at me. I'm not going to confirm a name. It's not something I'm going to do from here on out.”

He concluded: “What I can share with you is that the president has seen a neurologist to do it three times, three times, and it's in the report that we share a full report. In fact, it's more than he shared the 'last. It's in line with what George W. Bush did. And so it's out there. I just read it I'm not going to give someone's name. I'm not going to do that. No matter how angry you are with me. It's just not acceptable that I won't.”

HILARIOUS: Karine Jean-Pierre, on the verge of tears, gives a press conference because she has finally demanded that she answer a question coherently. pic.twitter.com/XmlEGOBSzp

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 8, 2024

Jean-Pierre also took a moment to address his heated exchange with O'Keefe, saying, “I just want to step back for a second because I take offense to what Ed alluded to. You know, every day there I go to a press conference and we do our best to give you the information we have at the time. And we understand that freedom of the press. You heard me talk about that last week. I appreciate the back and forth we all have. I try to respect you. And we literally do everything we can to make sure we get the answers. This is what we do.”

“And sometimes we don't agree. Sometimes, we don't agree. But you know what, that's democracy. That's what's important, to have that back and forth health. And so to say that I have information or allude to anything else is not [fair]. It's really, really unfair,” he continued.

“I think people who are watching this briefing over the last week could tell that we're doing our best in this briefing to provide the information that we have. And I'll admit, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I get it wrong. At least I'll admit it. And I'll always, always admit it. It's not okay at the beginning of this briefing.”

As O'Donnell explained the press's intention to get clarity, Jean-Pierre concluded: “Yes. But personal attacks are not okay.”

… Whoops, a reporter just got a second call as Doocy frantically waved and then Jean-Pierre ended the presser…

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) July 8, 2024

Peter Doocy says “Karine, you have time for one more” as the second WH press leaves the briefing room without having been called. pic.twitter.com/7NbAL8Id74

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 8, 2024