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Jen Psaki tears up as she welcomes Karine Jean-Pierre as WH press secretary, despite CNN link

Jen Psaki called Biden's pick for WH press secretary as her 'partner-in-truth' but many on social media couldn't ignore the conflict of interest this created

US President Joe Biden on Thursday, May 5 named Karine Jean-Pierre, 44, as the next White House press secretary, the first Black person to hold the high-profile post. Biden in a statement praised Jean-Pierre's "experience, talent and integrity," saying he was "proud" to announce her appointment. Jean-Pierre, who will also be the first openly LGBTQ+ person in the role, will replace Jen Psaki, under whom she served as deputy, from May 13. She has filled in for Psaki on several occasions, most recently while her predecessor was quarantined with Covid-19. Jean-Pierre is a partner of CNN's national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, 55, and the pair share a seven-year-old daughter, Soleil.

Psaki admitted she was struggling to fight back tears as she introduced her 'partner in truth' Jean-Pierre as Biden's new press secretary. "'I'm going to cry", an emotional Psaki said at the start of her briefing. "I just want to take the opportunity to celebrate and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my partner in truth Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House Press Secretary," Psaki said. "She will be the first black woman and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as the White House Press Secretary. Representation matters and she will give a voice to many, but also make many dream big about what is truly possible," the outgoing press secretary said. 

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Psaki went on to talk about Jean-Pierre's "decades of experience" working in Washington, for the Obama-Biden campaigns, and also as a long-time advisor for President Biden. She also recounted one of the first conversations she had with Jean-Pierre, in which they decided together they wanted to have a "drama-free" workplace "rebuilding trust with the public." She said: "And I am just so grateful to have had Karine by my side for this, over the last 15 months, and I just can't wait to see her shine at the podium. So congratulations, and I can't wait to see you bring your own style and brilliance to this job."

Biden said he and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden "have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration." While Biden's appointment was welcomed on social media, another fact emerged about Jean-Pierre which many noted poses a question of a conflict of interest. Jean-Pierre's partner Malveaux's affiliations as CNN's national correspondent is being reportedly brought up, creating doubts about the network's ability to provide objective coverage, which is already beset by ethical issues and scandals. 

The new White House press secretary, meanwhile, has been receiving praises and people are congratulating Jean-Pierre for her tremendous achievement. One user wrote "Congratulations! Well deserved & so relieved & grateful that we will have another intelligent, graceful, prudent & sharp-witted @PressSec! Many blessings & thank you for your willingness to serve in these difficult-to-navigate & unsettling times in our country & world." " Well earned and greatly deserved Congratulations to Karine Jean-Pierre, our 1st Black Woman and First openly LGBTQ+ person who will brilliantly serve as the White House Press Secretary," commented another person. A third person wrote "I’ve been such a fan of yours for a while and I’m crying tears of joy at this announcement. We are all a little bit safer now with you at the helm." "I hadn't realized it, but I've been waiting my whole life to see a Black, Queer woman in that job! You will be magnificent!," commented another.

The picture of Psaki and Jean-Pierre also garnered praise as Internet called it 'the best of America'. Another social media seeking to make people aware of Jean-Pierre's qualities posted a video saying: "If you don't know Karine Jean-Pierre yet, I offer you this video, and this promise: "Though she be but little, she is fierce." The video refers to a 2019 incident when she was MoveOn’s chief public affairs officer and bravely jumped between a protester and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif. then) during a discussion on gender gap.