Late-night host Stephen Colbert pressed former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a tense exchange about former President Joe Biden’s mental fitness and the fallout from his debate performance, which led to his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

Appearing Monday night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , Jean-Pierre defended Biden’s abilities, insisting she saw a capable and engaged president “nearly every day.” But Colbert, a strong Biden supporter, openly questioned Biden’s performance on the 2024 presidential debate night.

“I saw a guy who I had not seen backstage at the benefit that I did. It seemed like a dramatically different person,” Colbert said.

Jean-Pierre pushed back, saying Biden never hid the effects of aging but remained sharp and

See Full Page