Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy didn’t need long to completely befuddle the new White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
In fact, it only took one day.
“How does raising taxes on corporations reduce inflation?” Doocy asked, referencing President Joe Biden’s tweet last week that blamed spiraling inflation on the tax rate.
You want to bring down inflation?
Let’s make sure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 13, 2022
Jean-Pierre struggled to respond.
“Look, you know, we have talked about… we have talked about this this past year, about making sure that the wealthiest among us are paying their fair share,” she said. “And that is important to do. And that is something that… you know, the president has been… you know, working on every day when we talk about inflation and lowering costs.”
“And so it’s very important that… you know… as we’re seeing costs rise, as we’re talking about how to… you know… you know, build an America that is safe, that’s equal for everyone, and doesn’t leave anyone behind, that is an important part of that as well,” Jean-Pierre said about the tweet.
Unsatisfied with that nonanswer, Doocy asked the question again.
“But how does raising taxes on corporations lower the cost of gas, the cost of a used car, the cost of food for everyday Americans?” he asked.
“So look, we encourage those that did very well, that… you know, by not… if… without having a fairer tax code, which is what I’m talking about,” Jean-Pierre stammered. “Then all… every, like, manufacturing workers, cops… you know, it’s not fair for them to have to pay higher taxes than the folks that… who are, who are, who are not paying taxes at all or barely have.”
“But what does that have to do with inflation?” Doocy shot back. “The president said, ‘If you want to bring down inflation, let’s make sure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share.’ Jeff Bezos came out and tweeted about that. He said, ‘The newly created Disinformation Board should review this tweet.’ Would you be okay with that?”
Jean-Pierre deflected and began criticizing Bezos and failed to further address the inflation tweet.
You can see the exchange here —
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