For the first time, a black woman becomes spokeswoman for the US President: Karine Jean-Pierre is her name. And for another reason, the 44-year-old is a historic cast in the top staff of the White House.
Homosexuality and politics are not necessarily best friends. At least not in public and certainly not in the USA. Very few American politicians claim to be gay or lesbian. Among them is Minister of Transport Pete Buttigieg, a member of the cabinet. The new spokeswoman for the White House, Karine Jean-Pierre, is openly gay. At the post, this is a first.
“I appreciate this historical circumstance”
When the 44-year-old made her debut as vice spokeswoman almost exactly a year ago, she became only the second black woman to lead the journalists’ briefing at the White House. The occasion was also worth mentioning for herself: “I really appreciate this historical circumstance,” she said, noting that a black woman behind this podium was a rare sight. “I don’t think it’s about the person behind that podium or in that room. It’s about what we can do on behalf of the American people.” But, Jean-Pierre continued: “Of course the President believes in representation and I’m grateful that he’s giving me the opportunity to do so.”
Karine Jean-Pierre is now replacing the previous spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who will probably switch to the television station MSNBC. Speaking of her successor, she said the choice of Jean-Pierre was “fantastic because representation is important”. The US President’s spokespersons answer questions from the press almost every day. That is why they are among the prominent faces of the US government. Joe Biden said of his new “voice”: “She brings the experience, talent and integrity required for this difficult task.”
In 1991 there was a black woman in the same position
The first black woman to hold that capacity was Judy Smith, who spoke as deputy press secretary on behalf of then-US President George HW Bush in 1991. Under Donald Trump, press briefings either failed or ended in farce. Speaker Sean Spicer was notorious for grossly exaggerating the size of the audience at Trump’s inauguration. And the last head of press, Kayleigh McEnany, did not shy away from defending even the most absurd untruths of the ex-president with holy seriousness.
It is no coincidence that it was important for Karine Jean-Pierre to emphasize “truthfulness and transparency”. “That’s the way I believe the President wants to communicate with the American people,” she said in May 2021. Asked if she’s ever had doubts in her life about such a position as the current one to get, she denied. “I just worked hard towards it,” the new spokeswoman said.
With wife and child in Washington
Born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique to Haitian parents, Jean-Pierre grew up in New York City. Before going into the White House, she was Kamala Harris’s chief of staff. She had also worked for Barack Obama. Jean-Pierre lives with CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux and their daughter in the capital, Washington.
Sources: DPA, “”, , “”
Source: Stern
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