President Joe Biden caused a stir when he asked for former Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), who was killed in a car crash in August, at an event on Wednesday.
What Happened: The president was addressing the White House Conference on “Hunger, Nutrition and Health.” While thanking the organizers, Biden mentioned Walorski's name, looked around and asked, “Jackie, are you here? Where’s Jackie?”
Walorski was among the four Congressional co-sponsors of the bill to faund the conference. Biden even went past the faux pas without correcting it.
"Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?"
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) September 28, 2022
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) died in a car accident in August pic.twitter.com/cHc3b7zPmE
This came as a surprise to many as the president and first lady Jill Biden had offered their condolences after the passing of Walorski, a Republican by political leaning.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later downplayed the event. When probed on the incident, she said Biden was “acknowledging her incredible work.” Jean-Pierre also said the president had already planned to welcome the former Congresswoman’s family to the White House for the signing of the bill.
“She was on top of mind for the president,” she added.
REPORTER: "He said, 'Jackie, are you here, where's Jackie. She must not be here."
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) September 28, 2022
Karine Jean-Pierre: "I totally understand. I just explained, she was on top of mind." pic.twitter.com/AnAjBAtYdr
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Unconvinced with the explanation, several reporters pressed further. When Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett said these “moments of confusion” are happening with “increased frequency” and Americans watching this are having concerns, Jean-Pierre ignored him, according to the New York Post. Halkett insisted that he wanted an answer, stating, "We are asking about the mental acuity of the president.”
CHAOS in the Briefing Room as KJP tries to escape Walorski Q's w/help from lapdop USA Today reporter...Other reporter: "These moments of confusion are happening w/increasing frequency."
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 28, 2022
EWTN's Owen Jensen: "Why don't you just apologize? Sounds like you're making excuses." pic.twitter.com/EUizBLTnwW
Jackie Walorski's brother Keith Walorski, while agreeing that it was a big mix-up, said it wasn't inexcusable or unforgivable, the Post reported. "No. I’m not gonna hold it against him. I just feel sorry for him," he added.
