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Jen Psaki Expertly Shuts Down Fox News Reporter's Leading Question About Dr. Seuss

Collin Gossel
Mar. 03, 2021
wh.gov

On Tuesday, March 2, Dr. Seuss Enterprises—the organization that manages the estate and intellectual property of Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel—announced it would no longer be printing six of the late author and illustrator's titles due to "racist and insensitive imagery."

Conservatives everywhere lashed out against the decision, decrying "cancel culture" despite the fact the company's decision was an independent one.

Meanwhile, Fox News was running multiple segments about how liberals were coming for your Dr. Seuss books.

At the daily White House press briefing, Fox correspondent Kristin Fisher baited Press Secretary Jen Psaki, asking:

"It's also Dr. Seuss's birthday. Both former Presidents Trump and Obama mentioned Dr. Seuss in their Read Across America Day proclamations, but President Biden did not. Why not?"

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Psaki seemed prepared with an answer to Fisher's question.

"The proclamation was written by the Department of Education."
"But you're right, Read Across America Day, which has only existed for a short period of time, elevates and celebrates a love of reading among our nation's youngest leaders and the day is also a chance to celebrate diverse authors whose work and lived experience reflect the diversity of our country. And that's what they hoped to do this year."


Psaki also noted:

"It is especially important that we ensure that all children can see themselves represented and celebrated in the books that they read."


Fisher then asked:

"Does the omission have anything to do with the controversy about the lack of diverse characters in the authors' books?"


Paski didn't take the bait, however, simply repeating:

"It is important that children of all backgrounds see themselves in the children's books that they read."



Fox News seems strangely eager to cast the Biden administration as enemies of Dr. Seuss.



Fisher was dragged online for bringing such a trivial issue into the White House briefing.


If a private company chooses to cease publication of several of its own books, that should hardly be something the Biden administration is held accountable for.