White House apologizes to Asa Hutchinson for DNC joke about end of his campaign

 President Biden's administration contacted former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to apologize for a joke made by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) regarding the end of his presidential campaign.

Hutchinson's decision to suspend his campaign was ridiculed by the Democratic Party, who joked that they did not know he was still in the race.

"This news is a blow to those of us who swore he was already out," DNC press secretary Sarafina Chitika posted.

Biden reportedly requested an apology from the former governor on behalf of the administration.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that White House chief of staff Jeff Zients called Hutchinson "to apologize on behalf of the president."

He added, "President Biden has deep respect for Gov. Hutchinson and admires the race he ran."

"The call from the White House was not necessary but was appreciated nonetheless," Hutchinson said. "We can disagree without condemning."

Hutchinson suspended his long-shot campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday after finishing sixth in the Iowa caucuses.

Hutchinson said in his announcement, "I am suspending my campaign for president and moving back to Arkansas. My message of being a principled Republican with experience and telling the truth about the current front runner did not sell in Iowa. "

He insisted, "I stand by the campaign I ran. I answered every question, warned the GOP about the risks in 2024, and offered hope for the future of our country."

According to unofficial tabulations, Hutchinson received less than 200 votes out of more than 110,000 cast in the Iowa Republican presidential primary.