White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged a reporter’s question that President Biden was surprised by the price of a $6 smoothie in Allentown, Pennsylvania, instead directing the topic towards small business owners who are starting their own business.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre quickly dodged a question from a Fox reporter Wednesday after she was asked why President Biden seemed surprised that a smoothie in Allentown, Pennsylvanialast week cost $6.
“Last Friday, the president was at a cafe in Pennsylvania and he seemed surprised that the smoothie cost $6 and how expensive it was,” FOX Business reporter Edward Lawrence told Jean-Pierre. “I’m curious. So, does the president now realize the costs that Americans are bearing?”
Friday, President Biden stopped at several small businesses in the Allentown area to highlight the area’s boom in small business startups.
The boom has helped create jobs, while attracting investment in manufacturing and infrastructure, according to the White House.
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about President Biden’s reaction to a $6 smoothie in Allentown, Pennsylvania, last week. (Live broadcast from the White House)
But asked about Biden’s surprise at the $6 price, Jean-Pierre replied that the president was only joking with the press.
“So, look, when he spoke to all of you, to the press, he had a lot of fun, didn’t he? And he offered, as you know, to buy them coffee.” she declared. “There was a big group there, and he made sure everyone had coffee and pastries. So, I just want to make that very clear.”
Lawrence once again asked his question about Biden’s reaction to the $6 smoothie.
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President Biden sips a $6 smoothie during a visit to Nowhere Cafe, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The White House said Biden was ‘joking’ when he seemed surprised by the price of smoothies like Americans across the country (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Jean-Pierre told Lawrence not to forget the subject of the trip — small enterprises.
She went on to say that 16 million small businesses have started and completed applications.
“It’s a big deal. It’s really important,” the press secretary said. “That means they have the confidence, the small businesses, the people who start them, have the confidence in the economy to start a business.”
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Inflation has soared under President Biden’s leadership. (Fox News / Fox News)
Jean-Pierre credited the president with giving Americans confidence through the American Rescue Plan, which she noted was not voted for by Republicans.
She went on to say the bailout allowed the economy to get back on its feet, adding that Republicans didn’t want to see small businesses succeed, nor did they want to fight big pharmaceutical companies.
Jean-Pierre continued to dodge the smoothie price, accusing Republicans of not caring about lowering health care costs for Americans, which she says is why The Republicans didn’t do it Vote for the Inflation Reduction Act.
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“But why was he so surprised that the cost was so high?,” Lawrence asked of Biden and the smoothie.
“He was joking. He was definitely joking with the press,” Jean-Pierre said. “He offered to buy me some coffee. That’s what he did, as well as some pastries. But I think the most important thing about this trip was that he was able to visit a small business .”
High inflation has created severe financial pressures for most American households, who are forced to pay more for daily necessities like food and rent. Food prices have increased 33.7% since the start of 2021, while housing costs have increased 18.7%, according to FOX Business calculations. Energy prices, meanwhile, are up 32.8%.
The typical American household had to pay $211 more per month in December to purchase the same goods and services than a year ago, due to inflation still high, according to new calculations from Moody’s Analytics. Americans are paying an average of $1,020 more each month compared to the same period two years ago.
The latest findings come amid growing pessimism among American households about their financial situation under Biden.
A recent survey published by Bankrate shows that 50% of Americans say their financial situation has worsened since the 2020 presidential election. For comparison, only 21% think their financial situation has improved, while 26% think it is unchanged.
Megan Henney of FOX Business contributed to this report.
