CNN Moves Partner of New White House Press Secretary Off Political Beat

Suzanne Malveaux speaks at an event in Georgia in a file photograph. Ben Rose/Getty Images for UNICEF

The CNN reporter who is the partner of the new White House press secretary has been barred from covering politics as long as her partner remains in the position, CNN said on May 6.

Suzanne Malveaux, the reporter, is in a relationship with Karine Jean-Pierre, who has been the White House’s principal deputy press secretary and was named Thursday as the successor to outgoing press secretary Jen Psaki.

Malveaux is described on CNN’s website as the network’s national correspondent, covering national and international news.

Because of Jean-Pierre’s promotion, that coverage will not include politics, according to the network.

While Malveaux will continue as CNN’s national correspondent, she “will not cover politics, Capitol Hill, or the White House” as long as Jean-Pierre is the White House’s press secretary, a CNN spokesman told The Epoch Times.

Malveaux will be free to cover all news that doesn’t intersect with politics, as well as cultural events.

The CNN spokesman ignored a question about why the arrangement was not made earlier, considering Jean-Pierre already worked for the White House.

The outlet did note the relationship in its story about Jean-Pierre’s new position, saying that the woman’s family “includes her partner, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.”

White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre walks in the White House in Washington on May 5, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Some observers noted the relationship after the promotion was announced.

“This is one of many examples of the corporate media LITERALLY in bed with the government it covers,” Alex Marlow, Breitbart’s editor-in-chief and author of “Breaking the News: Exposing the Establishment Media’s Hidden Deals and Secret Corruption,” said on Twitter.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Psaki during a briefing congratulated Jean-Pierre and said her immediate plans are to sleep and read books amid reports saying she has secured a job with MSNBC.

“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,” Jean-Pierre said. “It is an honor and a privilege to be behind this podium.”

Prior to joining the Biden administration, Jean-Pierre was a spokeswoman for MoveOn.org; a political analyst for NBC and MSNBC; a political director during the Obama administration; a campaign official in Obama’s 2012 campaign; and a manager for the American Civil Liberties Union.

Between working for the Obama and Biden administrations, Psaki worked at CNN as an analyst.