White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre came under fire online after significantly overstating public support for President Biden’s controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden.

President Biden granted the pardon on Sunday despite prior assertions that he would not do so. Hunter Biden had faced convictions in two federal cases earlier this year: pleading guilty to federal tax charges in September and being convicted in June on three felony gun charges for lying on a gun purchase form by denying illegal drug use.

For over a year, both President Biden and Jean-Pierre had repeatedly claimed that Hunter would not receive a pardon.

She's wrong. The YouGov poll shows 64% of Democrats, not 64% of Americans, supported the pardon. 34% of Americans overall supported it, with 50% disapproving. https://t.co/VH92dNPNh0 pic.twitter.com/3aHitv5PRd

— Elias Atienza (@AtienzaElias) December 6, 2024

In her first televised White House press briefing following the pardon, Jean-Pierre defended the decision, citing a poll to suggest widespread approval. However, she misrepresented the data.

“I think it’s important to note here, as you’re asking me these questions — important questions to ask — that there was a poll, a U.S. Gov [sic] poll that came out that, some of you all reported on it,” Jean-Pierre stated.
“And it said 64% of the American people agree with the pardon — 64% of the American people. So, we get a sense of where the American people are on this. Obviously, it’s one poll, but it gives you a little bit of insight. Sixty-four percent is nothing to sneeze at,” she emphasized.

Jean-Pierre: "I called out the UsGov poll where 64% of Americans agree with the President's decision to pardon his son."

It's pronounced YouGov and it showed 64% of Democrats approved of the pardon while just 34% did overall.

Worst Press Sec everpic.twitter.com/P6xV7q4i2U

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 6, 2024

Jean-Pierre repeated this claim, saying, “I called out the U.S. Gov [sic] poll where 64% of Americans, that’s not a small number, agree with the president’s decision to pardon his son.”

However, the referenced poll was conducted by YouGov, not “U.S. Gov,” which does not exist. Moreover, the poll’s actual findings showed that only 64% of Democrats supported the pardon. Among all Americans, only 34% expressed support, while 50% disapproved either “strongly” or “somewhat.”

Social Media Reactions

The misrepresentation was quickly criticized online.

“She’s wrong,” Check Your Fact features editor Elias Atienza pointed out. “The YouGov poll shows 64% of Democrats, not 64% of Americans, supported the pardon. 34% of Americans overall supported it, with 50% disapproving.”