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Jen Psaki says Joe Biden and Kamala Harris fly private, Internet taunts 'it must help with climate change'

During the daily press briefing on Monday, Psaki was asked about the president's recent trips

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has once again found herself on the wrong side of Twitter. On Monday, she said that President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris need not restrict non-essential travel as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because they travel on private planes.

During the daily press briefing, Psaki was asked about the president's recent trips amidst the continued advice from the CDC against non-essential travel even if fully vaccinated.

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"I would say that the president travels, as does the vice president, on a private plane," Psaki said. "That is the purview of every president and vice president throughout American history," she said, referring to Air Force One and Two. 

Psaki added traveling on a private plane is "of course, different than traveling on a commercial flight and going to mass events". "As you know, we don’t — the president is not hosting rallies, nor is the vice president. We take the role of  being models quite seriously."

She added: "But, I think most Americans would recognize the difference."

Psaki's comments come as the CDC continues to urge Americans against non-essential travel, despite vaccinations, warning that it can increase the chance of spreading Covid-19. In recent days, the nation reportedly surpassed 30 million cases, with a seven-day average of new cases around 60,000.

'Where the hell is the compassion?'

Twitter is not happy with Psaki's comments. "Really!? They can travel for non-essential reasons because they fly on private planes, and Americans should recognize the difference!? @jrpsaki @PressSec What about those who haven't seen loved ones? That seems essential. 1/2 #LoveIsNotTourism," one user tweeted, adding, "Loved ones have been separated for OVER A YEAR, and we're supposed to sit here and accept and understand that the elite can travel and be tourists!? People are dying alone, people are giving birth alone, fathers and mothers are separated from their kids, nonmarried couples are forced away from eachother, and that's okay? Because we can't afford to travel by private plane or aren't important enough to be granted exceptions to the rules?" Finally adding, "Where the hell is the compassion? This is egregious, I am disgusted with this administration. You can't be models if you don't follow the rules."

Others asked why the rules are different for them. "They should fly commercial like Donald Trump and Mike Pence did! I always enjoyed seeing them in coach just like normal people." A user said, "Unless the planes are empty then they should follow same guidelines."

Users taunted Psaki for the comments, with one noting, "That’s right slaves do and the King/idiot and queen/Dumbass say to do while they do what they want." Another noted, "'Some Animals are more Equal than others,' said the Pig," citing George Owell's allegorical novel 'Animal Farm's quote. The entire quote is: 'All animals are equal but some are more equal than others'.

For some others, the issue was that private planes contribute to global warming. "Global warming is going to kill us all and there still flying in planes wow," one said. "Thats smart. It must help with climate change or something," another added.