Who is Karine Jean-Pierre? The unlikely face rising to prominence ahead of historic US election

As furious speculation mounts on Joe Biden’s political future, and while his opponent fends off court actions, an unlikely star is soaring to prominence.

Karine Jean-Pierre has been the face of the White House media for more than two years, holding regular press briefings for the President.

The 49-year-old stepped into the role of Press Secretary in May 2022 after her predecessor, Jen Psaki, took a job with news-based TV channel MSNBC.

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“Karine 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,” Biden said in a statement at the time of her taking the job.

“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room.”

The two years since have been far from smooth for Jean-Pierre, who also became the first person of colour and the first openly gay person to hold the job.

Questions about her boss’ mental capacity have hounded her, increasing in recent weeks after his shaky debate performance against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Most recently, reporters wanted to know whether physician Dr Kevin Cannard’s visits to the White House were related to Biden’s care.

Jean-Pierre deflected reporters’ questions, leading to fiery exchanges.

“It’s a very basic direct question,” a reporter fired, prompting Jean-Pierre to request “a little respect here, please”.

“I am telling you that he has seen a neurologist three times … every time he has a physical (exam) he has had to see a neurologist,” she said.

“So, that is answering that question.”

The reporter tried again: “No it’s not. Did Dr Kevin Cannard come to the White House to speak about the President’s condition?”

For eight minutes of the hour-long July 9 press conference, reporters and Jean-Pierre sparred over the same question without much headway.

Born in France to Haitian immigrants, Jean-Pierre moved to New York with her family when she was five.

She became the first woman of colour to host a White House press briefing in three decades when she was Deputy White House Press Secretary in 2021.

“It’s a real honour to be standing here today,” she said at the time.

“I appreciate the historic nature. I really do.”

Before being Deputy White House Press Secretary, Jean-Pierre was the Chief of Staff for US Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 election campaign.

She was a regional political director during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign before serving as the National Deputy Battleground States Director during his 2012 re-election efforts.

Jean-Pierre was in a relationship with former CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux until September 2023, adopting a daughter together.

Her next few months in the job look to be turbulent as the election looms large.

Biden is facing mounting calls to step aside as the Democratic nominee amid concerns about his cognitive functions, his health and his age.

At 81, he is already the oldest sitting president in US history.

Not that his likely opponent, Trump, is a spring chicken at age 78.

The latest blow to Biden’s election hopes came on Thursday.

Not in the form of an opinion poll, but a column penned by Democratic supporter, actor George Clooney, in the New York Times.

The long-time Democrat fundraiser urged Biden to step aside, writing: “We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate.”

Biden has furiously defended his candidacy, saying he will run in November and intends to win.

– with CNN