Why did Karine Jean-Pierre call Fox News racist in 2020?

Incoming White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Fox News a “racist” network in a TV appearance back in March 2020 and video footage of that resurfaced this week, days before she is to take over her new role from Jen Psaki.

“[Fox News] was racist before coronavirus, they are racist during the coronavirus, Fox News will be racist after the coronavirus,” Jean-Pierre explained during a March 15, 2020 appearance on MSNBC.

“So there is nothing new here,” she states. “I think the difference is they are all-in on being state TV for Donald Trump, and so they will continue to give misinformation.” She was commenting on the network’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jean-Pierre was a political commentator for MSNBC at the time until joining the Biden campaign a few months later. She tweeted the video from her personal account, which was still live as of Tuesday afternoon.

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Jean-Pierre is the first black woman and openly gay person to serve as press secretary. She will take over for departing press secretary Jen Psaki, who is retiring on Friday.

President Biden announced Jean-appointment, Pierre’s saying she “not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris administration on behalf of the American people.”

Critics have pointed to Jean-long-term Pierre’s connection with CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux as a source of conflict of interest. The couple have a daughter, Soleil Malveaux Jean-Pierre.

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“This is one of many examples of the corporate media LITERALLY in bed with the government it covers,” Alex Marlow, editor-in-chief of right-wing news outlet Breitbart, tweeted after Jean-Pierre’s appointment was announced.

After Jean-Pierre’s appointment, CNN stated that Malveaux would not be reporting politics while her partner is the White House’s principal spokesperson.

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“Suzanne Malveaux will continue in her role as CNN National Correspondent covering national/international news and cultural events but will not cover politics, Capitol Hill, or the White House while Karine Jean-Pierre is serving as White House Press Secretary,” CNN spokesperson Matt Dornic confirmed in a comment to the Washington Examiner.