Former Biden White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reignited controversy Tuesday when she referred to Trump White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as “deplorable” during an appearance on ABC’s The View.

Jean-Pierre was asked by co-host Sunny Hostin to respond to a clip of Leavitt and her text exchange with a Huffington Post reporter.

The exchange was highlighted during the segment, prompting Hostin to ask whether Jean-Pierre had any advice for her successor.

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“I have so many thoughts there. I do want to say that… hearing that, it’s deplorable,” Jean-Pierre said.

“And I’m using that word on purpose.”

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Her use of the term echoed Hillary Clinton’s widely criticized “basket of deplorables” remark from 2016, in which Clinton labeled many of Donald Trump’s supporters as “deplorable.”

Leavitt, who serves as President Donald Trump’s current White House Press Secretary, responded hours later on Fox News.

Appearing on Jesse Watters Primetime, she dismissed Jean-Pierre’s remarks and defended both her work and President Trump’s record.

“Karine worked for the most incompetent president in history, so I guess she has a reason to be bitter but being bitter will not sell you books,” Leavitt told Watters.

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She went on to criticize Jean-Pierre’s time behind the White House podium during the Biden-Harris administration, accusing her of contributing to misinformation about the former president’s capacity and record.

“With all due respect to my predecessor, she is one of the main culprits of the greatest cover up and scandal in American history,” Leavitt said.

“She took the podium every day and lied to the press about the incompetence of her boss, and on this book tour she continues to lie.”

Leavitt also pointed to recent comments made by Jean-Pierre during media appearances.

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“She said this past week that Joe Biden would still be up for the job,” Leavitt continued.

“She actually said this week as well on a podcast that Joe Biden did ‘more press engagements than President Trump currently does now.’”

Leavitt called that statement false, adding, “Any person across the aisle can tell you that is a bald-faced lie.”

She closed the interview by reaffirming her position within President Trump’s administration.

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“I’m very proud to work for the greatest president in history,” she said.

The exchange marked one of the most direct public clashes between the two press secretaries since Leavitt assumed the role in the Trump White House.

Jean-Pierre, who stepped down from her position earlier this year to promote her memoir and continue as a political commentator, has been critical of President Trump and his staff in multiple recent interviews.

Neither ABC nor Jean-Pierre’s representatives have issued additional comment following Leavitt’s response.

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The White House did not release a statement regarding the exchange.

Leavitt, who previously served as a communications aide during President Trump’s first administration, has been an outspoken defender of his policies and record.

The former New Hampshire congressional candidate joined Trump’s communications team early in 2024 and was later elevated to press secretary following his re-election.

Jean-Pierre, meanwhile, has continued her media appearances as part of her promotional tour, frequently addressing her time in the Biden-Harris White House and discussing her perspective on press relations.

The exchange between the two officials comes as political tensions remain high in Washington, with both parties positioning ahead of key policy battles and upcoming state elections.