Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 were injured after a drone strike on a military base in Jordan over the weekend. According to U.S. officials, the attack was carried out by an Iran-backed militia.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared on MSNBC on Monday and, unsurprisingly, was asked about the tragic loss of life. She proceeded to stammer for 30 seconds about the “three folks” who died.
On Monday’s show, Megyn was joined by Glenn Greenwald, host of Rumble’s System Update, to discuss Jean-Pierre’s “disrespectful” verbal fumble and why she is not an effective mouthpiece for the Biden administration.
U.S. Soldiers Killed in Jordan
On Saturday night, U.S. officials said a one-way drone struck the living quarters at Tower 22, a small military base near the Syrian border in Jordan. Three Army soldiers were killed and at least 34 others were injured in the attack, with eight troops being transported out of Jordan for additional care.
The perpetrator has not been identified, but the drone was reportedly fired from Syria by Iran-backed militants. The bloodshed marked the first time U.S. military personnel have been killed by enemy fire since the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.
Speaking at a Baptist church in South Carolina on Sunday, President Joe Biden remembered the fallen. “We had a tough day last night in the Middle East,” he said. “We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases.” After a moment of silence, the commander in chief added, “and we shall respond.”
KJP’s Latest Blunder
Given the gravity of the attacks, there was no question as to whether or not White House officials would be questioned about what transpired at Tower 22 when they made the media rounds on Monday morning.
On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski asked Jean-Pierre if she had anything “new” to share “in terms of the Biden administration’s plans or response to what has happened.”
After stating that she had nothing to add to an interview given earlier in the show by Rear Adm. John Kirby, the White House press secretary attempted to shift the conversation to the soldiers who died. She struggled, however, to find the words:
JEAN-PIERRE: What I will say, obviously, our deepest condolences go out, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the families who lost, three, three brave, uh, three brave, uh, three brave of, uh, three folks who are military folks, who are brave, who are always fighting, who are fighting on behalf of this administration, of the American people, obviously, more so, more importantly.
Megyn, who called Jean-Pierre “not a bright person,” said her response was inexcusable. “If you’re in the White House, this is number one… She knows this question is going to be coming,” she noted. “The lack of preparation is disrespectful, and she clearly doesn’t understand the news that she’s been appointed to speak about.”
Communication Break Down
As Greenwald pointed out, this is but the latest example of Jean-Pierre not being able to effectively communicate off the cuff. “I know you can’t make too big of a deal out of one clip, but this is something we’ve seen over and over with her,” he said. “What she was trying to say was ‘these are three brave patriots who have lost their lives,’ and her brain broke in the middle.”
The White House press secretary’s “only job is to communicate on behalf of the White House to the public,” Greenwald noted, which is something Jean-Pierre has had trouble with since taking over for her predecessor, Jen Psaski, in May 2022.
Greenwald said that no matter what question KJP is asked during a White House briefing, she does not answer it without reading from prepared remarks. “Karine Jean-Pierre can’t speak without a script in front of her even on the issues that she knows they’re going to ask about,” he explained. “It’s embarrassing – especially when it is an issue as grave and serious as what the United States is going to do now in retaliating because of these three dead soldiers.”
Ultimately, Greenwald said it’s indicative of a larger issue for the Biden administration. “We have a lot of important questions here about our involvement in the Middle East,” he concluded. “These are all serious, serious questions and to have somebody who can’t form a complete sentence speaking on behalf of the White House – and, by the way, her boss can either – is just not something that inspires a lot of confidence.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Greenwald by tuning in to episode 712 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.