In what may be one of the most transparently cynical attempts at image rehabilitation in recent political memory, former Biden White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Wednesday that she’s not only leaving the Democratic Party — she’s doing so to promote her new book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines. And if that subtitle alone didn’t trigger a collective eye-roll, the press rollout certainly will.
Jean-Pierre, who for years insisted that President Joe Biden was “as sharp as ever” — even as his cognitive decline became undeniable — is now positioning herself as a brave truth-teller, urging Americans to break free from partisan orthodoxy and embrace political independence.
The irony would be hilarious if it weren’t so brazen. A woman who acted as the official spokesperson for a White House mired in secrecy, scripted messaging, and systematic deflection is now claiming to lead the charge against “misinformation and disinformation.” You couldn’t script this level of audacity.
If you don’t tell the truth, off the record no longer applies.
Here is Gilda Squire’s denial at the time.
“This is unequivocally untrue.” https://t.co/GWBWPcD4cI pic.twitter.com/jfci8Cmz3l— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) June 4, 2025
The rollout of Jean-Pierre’s supposed reawakening is already unraveling. According to Politico and Axios, Jean-Pierre had quietly been working with New York-based publicist Gilda Squire as far back as 2023 — a period when she was still a sitting White House official. Emails surfaced showing Squire being copied on internal government communications, particularly related to Jean-Pierre’s media appearances and image management.
When questioned about this potentially improper coordination earlier this year, sources close to Jean-Pierre told reporters the allegations were “unequivocally untrue.” But now, with emails confirming the publicist’s involvement, that line looks increasingly like a calculated deception — yet another one in a pattern familiar to those who watched the Biden communications machine up close.
I told Gilda today that I planned on using these emails given the new reporting. Here is her response.
“How dare you write to me in this tone….Please do not ever contact me again.” pic.twitter.com/filP3qvtbe
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) June 4, 2025
Axios’ Alex Thompson, who initially withheld the story at Squire’s request, posted damning follow-up evidence after Squire attempted to downplay the relationship and chastised him for his reporting “tone.” He then published further proof showing Squire’s direct involvement months before Jean-Pierre officially left the administration — a timeline that conveniently contradicts their denials.
All this makes Jean-Pierre’s post-White House reinvention feel less like a redemption arc and more like a coordinated PR pivot by someone who sees an opportunity in a fractured political landscape. But for millions of Americans — especially those frustrated with the way Biden’s evident mental decline was obscured by a loyal cadre of operatives — the move comes off as laughably disingenuous.
