White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy on Tuesday regarding Vice President Kamala Harris' sudden change in accent when speaking to specific audiences on the campaign trail.
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, faced online accusations of pandering after she altered her dialect during a campaign stop in Detroit compared to her speech in Pittsburgh.
“Since when does the vice president have what sounds like a Southern accent?” Doocy asked.
Jean-Pierre dismissed the question, responding, “I have no idea what you're talking about. Do you think Americans seriously think this is an important question?” (RELATED: [WATCH] Kamala's Odd Appearance Sparks Wild Accusations – Is It A Sign Of Trouble?)
The interaction sparked gleeful reactions from conservatives on X (formerly Twitter):
Harris appeared to adopt African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) during a Labor Day speech in Detroit, Michigan. The California and Canada-raised politician has used a similar accent multiple times in recent weeks.
“You betta thank a union memba for sick leave. You betta thank a union memba for paid leave. You betta thank a union memba for vacation time because what we know…” Harris said during the speech.
Last week, while speaking to a voter in Savannah, Georgia, Harris shared an anecdote about preparing collard greens for a friend's Christmas party. “I would make so many greens that I'd need to wash them in the bathtub,” she said.
Jean-Pierre continued to brush off Doocy's question, arguing that Americans are more focused on pressing issues like the economy, which saw record-high inflation in 2022 and still faces challenges under the Biden-Harris administration.
“The question, just the question is insane,” Jean-Pierre concluded.
Doocy then asked, “Is that how she talks in meetings here?” (RELATED: [WATCH] Fox News Hall Of Famer Dismantles Media's Dirty Kamala Scheme)
Harris' communication style is often seen as one of her biggest vulnerabilities as a campaigner.
Some observers believe that the Democratic nominee is engaging in code-switching, the practice of alternating between two or more languages, dialects or language varieties within a conversation or even a single sentence. It often occurs in multilingual communities where speakers are fluent in multiple languages, but it can also happen in other settings.
In addition to switching languages, code-switching can also refer to adjusting speech patterns to match social norms in different settings. For instance, most people speak more formally in a professional environment but use slang or colloquial language with friends.
Black professionals and other minorities often engage in code-switching, especially in politics and other professional settings. For many minorities, code-switching serves as a strategy to avoid unfair treatment or navigate environments where dominant cultural norms differ from their own. In specific circumstances, former President Barack Obama would adjust his language and tone to align with expectations in predominantly white spaces.
While politicians like Obama have successfully employed this tactic, Hillary Clinton has faced notable criticism for her attempts at code-switching, particularly when speaking to Black audiences throughout her political career.
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