Incoming White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s promotion means her longtime partner, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, will also be on the receiving end of a small, work-related change.
Malveaux has worked at CNN as a correspondent and anchor since 2002, including stints covering the White House and hosting The Situation Room, but will no longer be allowed to cover politics until Jean-Pierre moves on from her new post.
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE APPOINTED AS BIDEN’S SECOND WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
“Suzanne Malveaux will continue in her role as CNN National Correspondent covering national/international news and cultural events but will not cover politics, Capitol Hill, or the White House while Karine Jean-Pierre is serving as White House Press Secretary,” CNN spokesman Matt Dornic confirmed in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
The White House announced on Thursday afternoon that Jean-Pierre, who currently serves as the principal White House deputy press secretary, will succeed Jen Psaki as press secretary on May 13, and a number of news outlets began raising concerns about Jean-Pierre’s and Malveaux’s relationship shortly after the promotion was announced. The pair live together in Washington, D.C., with their adopted daughter, Soleil, whom Jean-Pierre has credited with inspiring her to join President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign.
Following Psaki’s departure, Jean-Pierre will become the first black woman and the first openly LGBT person to serve as White House press secretary, and she briefly addressed the “historic” nature of her post during Thursday’s White House press briefing.
“I am still processing it because, as Jen said at the top, this is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me. I understand how important it is for so many people out there, so many different communities that I stand on their shoulders and I have been throughout my career, and so, it is an honor and a privilege to be behind this podium,” she said. “That is something that I will honor and do my best to represent this president and this first lady the best that I can, but also the American people.”
Jean-Pierre added that she never “doubted” that she would find professional success just because of the color of her skin.
“No, not at all. I just worked hard towards it,” she said. “I understand how hard it is. I do. We all do, but just keep working hard towards it.”
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You can watch Thursday’s briefing in full below.
