'The Dems can’t run on policy so they are running on demonizing @realDonaldTrump,' said Rep. Derrick Van Orden
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was skewered online for defending the administration’s rhetoric about former President Trump following the latest assassination attempt against him.
After he was rushed off a West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course this past Sunday because the Secret Service discovered a gunman in the bushes, Trump argued that President Biden and Vice President Harris’ "rhetoric" is what is causing him to be "shot at."
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked Jean-Pierre, "How many more assassination attempts on Donald Trump until the president and vice president and you pick a different word to describe Trump, other than ‘threat?’"
Jean-Pierre told Doocy she completely disagreed with the premise of his question, calling the way he asked it "incredibly dangerous" because Americans are watching.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained that she and others at the White House will continue to call former President Trump a threat, backing up the term with events like the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (White House)
Social media commentators were quick to condemn Jean-Pierre as an unapologetic part of the problem.
"’Asking questions about how we demonize our opponents and their supporters is dangerous!’ is an utterly heinous response from KJP," The Spectator editor-at-large Ben Domenech argued.
"Asking questions about how we demonize our opponents and their supporters is dangerous!" is an utterly heinous response from KJP. https://t.co/cpXcf5Nhm4
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) September 17, 2024
The Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller wrote parodied this mentality by writing, "Our violence is speech. Your speech is dangerous."
Our violence is speech. Your speech is dangerous. https://t.co/pz8oWC8kbx
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 17, 2024
Podcaster Tim Young argued that Jean-Pierre’s response to Doocy’s question was basically one where she "gaslights by saying it's dangerous for him to ask that, and his tone is dangerous..." Young went on to warn followers, "She thinks you're stupid."
Doocy: How many more ass*ss*nation attempts on Trump until Biden, Kamala and you pick a different word to describe him other than a threat?
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) September 17, 2024
KJP: gaslights by saying it's dangerous for him to ask that, and his tone is dangerous...
She thinks you're stupid pic.twitter.com/LmZ2uX5rxx
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily news briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on October 17, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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"This is disgraceful and bordering on conspiracy at this point," Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., cautioned. "The Dems can’t run on policy so they are running on demonizing @realDonaldTrump."
This is disgraceful and bordering on conspiracy at this point.
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) September 17, 2024
The Dems can’t run on policy so they are running on demonizing @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/SVVnd3U7pN
National security adviser to Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, Omri Ceren shredded the press secretary, "She's just so studiously mediocre."
She's just so studiously mediocre. https://t.co/3EbBdJBCJQ
— Omri Ceren (@omriceren) September 17, 2024
Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce called out the White House spokeswoman for deflecting criticism back to Doocy.
"In asking a question about the admin's use of the word ‘threat’ to describe Trump, KJP accuses Doocy of being ‘dangerous’ for asking the question!" she wrote.
In asking a question about the admin's use of the word "threat" to describe Trump, KJP accuses Doocy of being "dangerous" for asking the question! https://t.co/dgJvKlDtW9
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) September 17, 2024
Video journalist Nick Sortor suggested, "These people are clearly going to continue these violent narratives. Evil."
🚨 Fox’s Peter Doocy just ROASTED Karine Jean-Pierre for her and the White House’s continued violent rhetoric, and KJP got TICKED 🤣
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 17, 2024
DOOCY: “How many more assassination attempts on Donald Trump until the president, vice president, and you pick a different word other than… pic.twitter.com/QuE2SHkDXC
Alexander Hall is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to