Fox News reporter Peter Doocy pressed White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on a recent story from President Joe Biden involving his late uncle and cannibals.
While speaking with the United Steelworkers Union in Pittsburgh, the president said his uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, was shot down in a plane in World War II near New Guinea. Biden also suggested he may have been eaten by cannibals.
“He flew those single-engine planes as reconnaissance over war zones, and he got shot down in New Guinea. They never found the body because there used to be, there were a lot of cannibals, for real, in that part of New Guinea,” he said.
Biden visited a war memorial honoring World War II veterans in Scranton. His story about Finnegan, nicknamed ‘Bozey,’ has led to some confusion as the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has a record showing Finnegan was not shot down, but that there was an engine failure and the plane needed to ditch at low altitude.
During a Friday press briefing, Doocy pushed for details from Jean-Pierre on Biden’s account of his uncle’s service and his suggestion that cannibals ate him.
“Why is President Biden saying that his Uncle Bosie was eaten by cannibals?” Doocy asked.
“The president had an emotional and I think a symbolic moment,” Jean-Pierre said. “He had an opportunity as president to honor his uncle’s service in uniform. He had an opportunity to be there as president to speak to the bravery of his uncle and not just his uncle, but many U.S. service members.”
She went on to argue Biden was “lifting up” veterans and drew a contrast with former President Donald Trump, referencing a report that he referred to fallen veterans as “suckers and losers.” Trump has denied making the statements, which former Marine Corps General John Kelly later confirmed.
“2nd Lt. Ambrose J. Finnigan was a war hero,” Doocy said, “but the Pentagon says for unknown reasons the plane was forced to ditch in the ocean. Both engines failed at low altitude. Why is President Biden saying he was shot down — there’s not evidence of that — and why is he saying his uncle was eaten by cannibals? That’s a bad way to go.”
After Doocy’s last line earned a few chuckles, Jean-Pierre admonished him for making light of the situation.
“We should not make jokes about this,” she said.
“It’s not. President Biden said his uncle was eaten by cannibals!” Doocy responded.
“Your last line, it’s for a laugh. It’s for a funny statement and [President Biden] takes this very seriously,” Jean-Pierre said. “His uncle, who served and protected this country, lost his life serving and that should matter.”
“Where did the cannibalism come from?” Doocy eventually asked again.
“I think you’re missing the point,” Jean-Pierre told Doocy, arguing again Biden is “lifting up” veterans.
Watch above via Fox News.
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