Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich proved Wednesday how the White House’s response to the PGA-LIV Golf merger is wholly inconsistent with previous stances.
What is the WH saying?
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded questions about the merger from four different reporters on Wednesday. Each time, she refused to address the merger or provide Biden’s response to it.
“We’ve been very clear, when it comes to mergers, when it comes to a private entity, we do not comment,” she said.
Later in the briefing, Heinrich pressed Jean-Pierre on her assertion. First, Heinrich pointed to a Wall Street Journal article that suggested the merger is about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “thumbing his nose” at Biden.
“Doesn’t that risk making the president look weak if there’s no comment?” Heinrich asked.
Jean-Pierre denied that Biden looks weak by refusing to comment publicly about the merger, arguing the White House is simply being consistent in not commenting on “a private merger — a company’s merger, a private entity.” She then abruptly moved on and ignored Heinrich’s follow-up questions when the reporter continued to press the issue.
06/07/23: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierrewww.youtube.com
What did Heinrich later explain?
Responding to the exchange on “Special Report,” Heinrich explained how Jean-Pierre’s position is not consistent.
In fact, the White House is happy to comment on developments in private business when it suits its political motives. But in this instance, it appears the White House is refusing to broach the merger because of larger political implications involving Saudi Arabia.
“It’s difficult to understand the administration’s justification because they have commented on private entity, big business moves before, like with Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter and also JPMorgan’s purchase of First Republic Bank,” Heinrich explained.
Just last month, in fact, Jean-Pierre commented on and defended the JPMorgan Chase’s acquisition of First Republic Bank. Meanwhile, the White House routinely answered questions about Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and the implications thereof.
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