Jen Psaki, Biden's former press secretary, made a false claim about the president during a ceremony honoring the 13 service members killed in the Afghanistan withdrawal.

According to Daily Mail, Jen Psaki has conceded to correcting her book's depiction of President Biden's actions at a ceremony honoring fallen soldiers after it conflicted with video evidence.

Jen Psaki's recent book, "Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World," attracted attention for its insights and a controversial statement about President Biden.

The book, released on May 7, 2024, by Simon and Schuster, claims that Biden checked his watch only after a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to honor fallen military personnel from Afghanistan.

This claim was soon challenged. Video evidence and multiple fact-checking organizations showed that President Biden did check his watch during the ceremony, contradicting what Psaki initially stated in her book.

The Ceremony's Controversial Detail

Statements from family members of the fallen further fueled the controversy. Darin Hoover and Mark Schmitz both attended the event and commented publicly on the matter.

According to Hoover, Biden repeated the action of looking at his watch after honoring each of the 13 service members.

"They would release the salute and he looked down at his watch on every last one. All 13, he looked down at his watch," recounted Hoover, challenging the narrative represented in Psaki's book.

Psaki's Initial Avoidance And Subsequent Response

When Fox News asked about the incident in August 2021, Psaki diverted the question to empathize with Biden's own experience of loss, avoiding a direct response to the watch-checking claim.

Her recent book seemed to be an attempt to finally address and refute these allegations by labeling them as "misinformation."

However, facing the undeniable evidence, Psaki altered her stance. She acknowledged the error in a statement to Axios, saying, "I would update future printings of my book to correct my mistaken claim of misinformation."

Public Reaction And Media Accountability

The episode highlights the complex interaction between public figures, media accountability, and the truth. Psaki's planned correction may restore some credibility, but it also underscores the challenges public officials face in maintaining accuracy in their accounts.

Furthermore, this development has reignited discussions about the transparency and reliability of information those in power provide, particularly in sensitive contexts such as honoring fallen soldiers.

Psaki initially defended Biden in her book by detailing that "the president looked at his watch only after the ceremony had ended. Moments later, he and the First Lady headed toward their car."

This detail, now proven inaccurate, will be corrected in future editions of Psaki's book, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance and rectification in public communication.

Upcoming Corrections To The Public Record

The anticipation for the amended versions of "Say More" highlights the significant impact authors and officials have on public perception and trust.

This incident also feeds into a larger discussion about authorial responsibilities and the need for accuracy in memoirs and non-fiction, which merge personal experiences with factual content.

In conclusion, Jen Psaki's acknowledgment of her error regarding President Biden's actions at a military ceremony marks a significant moment of accountability.

It serves as an example of the need for continuous scrutiny and correction in public discourse, especially when it concerns honoring those who have served. Psaki's forthcoming book updates will rectify these inaccuracies, hopefully adding a layer of truth to a highly sensitive issue.