Karine Jean-Pierre clashes with CNN's Don Lemon on Biden's 'semi-fascism' jab against GOP | Fox News

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CNN host, White House press secretary clash over 'semi-fascism'

Karine Jean-Pierre is pressed to explain what President Biden meant by saying MAGA Republicans practiced "semi-fascism."

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had a heated clash with CNN anchor Don Lemon on President Biden's latest attack directed at Republicans.

At a Thursday fundraiser in Maryland ahead of a rally appearance, Biden reiterated his "MAGA" attacks on the right, linking their ideology to "semi-fascism."

"What we're seeing now is either the beginning or the death knell of an extreme MAGA philosophy," Biden said. "It's not just Trump, it's the entire philosophy that underpins the — I'm going to say something, it's like semi-fascism."

BIDEN SAYS 'EXTREME' MAGA PHILOSOPHY IS 'LIKE SEMI-FASCISM': 'IT'S NOT JUST TRUMP'

President Biden speaks at a Democratic National Committee rally at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, on Thursday. (REUTERS/Leah Millis)

During an appearance on CNN, Jean-Pierre was pressed about the president's comments.

"What exactly is semi-fascism, Karine?" Lemon asked.

"Thank you for having me because this is really important," Jean-Pierre said from outside the White House. "The American people have a choice in front of them and the president laid that out very clearly, very powerfully tonight. When you look at what Democrats are doing and what they are delivering, and what they have done, Don, in less than two years, which is lowering costs on prescription drugs, lowering the energy costs, making sure that we have this historic legislation to really deal with [the] climate crisis. All of these things are important —"

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"And they are," Lemon interrupted. "Karine, I want to get to all of those things with all due respect, but we have a short time. I'm going to get to all those things, but if you'll answer my question."

"I am," Jean-Pierre shot back. "I was just about to get to your question. I really was… You brought me on the show for a reason. And I have to talk about — "

"I understand that, I just have limited time with you," Lemon cut in again. "I just want to make sure that we get all the answers."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on Thursday. (Reuters)

"Well, by having this back and forth, we are actually taking away from the time. So here we go," the press secretary responded.

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"So what we're seeing from Republicans and what we have seen from Republicans these past several years is that they are attacking our democracy. They are taking away our freedom. And they are trying to put on the chopping blocks Medicare and Social Security. That's what we are seeing, and it's being done — if you look at the Republican Party, it is being done by this element, this MAGA element of the Republican Party. And that is what we are trying to prevent. That's what you heard from the president today," she told Lemon.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had a testy exchange with CNN anchor Don Lemon on Thursday night. (CNN)

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Earlier this year, President Biden rolled out a catchphrase trying to negatively characterize the GOP as "ultra-MAGA, referring to former President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan.

It was later revealed that the label was the result of a six-month, liberal-funded focus group research project.

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.