Fox News reporter asks why Harris is code-switching on the campaign trail.
Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre feigned incredulity Tuesday as a reporter asked her point-blank why Kamala Harris speaks with an accent when addressing different audiences, known as “code-switching.”
Questioning why Harris appears to at times adopt a “southern drawl” in different regions on the campaign trail, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocey received cold responses from Jean-Pierre, who refused to acknowledge the reporter’s query.
Karine Jean-Pierre LOSES her mind when Fox News’ Peter Doocy asks an absolutely legendary question on why Kamala Harris seems to develop a Southern accent when speaking to certain crowds, otherwise known as code-switching or shameless pandering. pic.twitter.com/UhrAkRy2yn
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 3, 2024
“Since when does the Vice President have what sounds like a Southern accent?” Doocey asked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” the White House Press Secretary claimed.
“Well, I mean this is… She was talking about unions in Detroit using one tone of voice,” Doocey attempted to explain, with Jean-Pierre trying to interrupt him.
Kamala Harris with the same speech in two different cities, using two different accents!! 🤦♂️
Why!? 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/qWhGnyFClP
— James Pleickhardt (@JamesPleickhar2) September 3, 2024
“She says the same line in Pittsburgh and it sounded like she at least had some kind of a Southern drawl,” Doocey said, referring to recent speeches Harris gave within hours of each other in Detroit and Pittsburgh where the Democrat nominee spoke with two distinctly different accents.
“I mean, do you hear the question that you… I mean, do you think Americans seriously think that this is an important question?” Jean-Pierre answered, attempting to humiliate Doocey for asking about the phenomenon.
The press secretary went on to claim Americans don’t care about Kamala’s code-switching, saying that “just hearing” Doocey’s question “sounds so ridiculous.”
“Well, but hearing it is…” Doocey began, attempting to say hearing Kamala’s accent was what sparked his question.
“The question, I’m talking about the question, is just insane,” Jean-Pierre replied, cutting him off.
“Is that how she talks in meetings?” Doocey further probed.
“I’m just…Peter, we’re moving on. We’re so moving on,” Jean-Pierre remarked, shutting down the reporter.
While the White House might prefer to ignore the Fox correspondent’s question, it highlights a phenomenon people are noticing and documenting on social media, claiming it represents pandering to low information voters.
Kamala Harris went to speak in Atlanta and now has a Southern accent. LSU coach Brian Kelly is jealous. But in all seriousness, why do people do this? It’s just so transparently fake. pic.twitter.com/xIXt29SexL
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 31, 2024
I also Talk Blacker Around Black People like Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/0tDNuZB5YG
— Ryan Long (@ryanlongcomedy) August 14, 2024
Kamala’s cringe pandering to southerners has even drawn comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s failed 2008 presidential campaign, when she put on a fake southern accent to pander to the people of Selma, Alabama.
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) July 31, 2024
Time will tell whether patronizing, caricaturing and stereotyping black people is a winning strategy for Democrats come November.