The Briefing with Jen Psaki

MS NOW

4.4 (912)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Jen Psaki tackles the biggest issues of the week and features one-on-one interviews with newsmakers.

20H AGO

Trump struck dumb as realities of war make a mockery of his bluster

Donald Trump has put a lot of energy into boasting about U.S. military dominance over Iran, including eliminating Iran's ability to shoot down planes. As is the case with so much of Trump's talk, reality has shown him to be ill-informed, lying, or both. Donald Trump's fixation on the sensational aspects of warfare and his shallow understanding of setting goals are keeping his mission in Iran directionless and confusing. Veteran Pentagon journalist Barbara Starr, David Noriega, MS NOW national reporter and Lt. Col. Amy McGrath discuss. Rep. Seth Moulton joins to discuss how Donald Trump's griftiness is wroking in overdrive now that he has started a war with Iran. Rep. Madeleine Dean explains why JD Vance is a poor choice for "fraud czar." And David Miliband, president & CEO of the International Rescue Committee, explains why Donald Trump's war on Iran could result in a major disruption of the world's food supply. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

42 min
1D AGO

In ironic twist, Epstein files apparently cost Bondi her job even as she shielded Epstein associates

Even though she was unfailingly loyal to Donald Trump, a quality that would be thought to keep her job secure, Pam Bondi reportedly did not sufficiently protect Donald Trump from public awareness of his involvement with notorious pedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, so Trump has fired her. So despite disgracing herself by shielding Trump and other Epstein associates and turning her back on Epstein's victims, it was Bondi who suffered public disgrace and lost her job because of her own release of the Epstein files. Rep. Ro Khanna joins to discuss Donald Trump's Jeffrey Epstein problem, and Rep. Joe Neguse talks about how Congress can protect the Justice Department when Trump's priority seems to be corrupting it. The bombing by the United States of a bridge in Iran and Donald Trump's repeated threats to destroy Iran's power plants and water infrastructure raise questions of how close Trump will come to committing war crimes in Iran, or even whether he already has. Former national security advisor Ben Rhodes responds. In a closed door speech the White House apparently accidently published and then deleted (but not before it was downloaded and reshared), Donald Trump declared the inability of the federal government to provide for things like daycare when his priority is military strength, not the welfare of the American public. Senator Chris Van Hollen joins to discuss. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

42 min
3D AGO

Trump goes off the deep end after judge halts his ballroom pet project

Donald Trump is so enamored of his White House ballroom pet project that he talks about it every chance he gets, regardless of the setting. Sometimes it seems like he wishes Americans would be as distracted by it as he is. But now a judge has put a halt to the project, reminding Trump that he is a steward of the White House, not the owner, and requiring him to get approval from Congress first. Donald Trump has no idea how to fix the mess he has made with his attack on Iran, and now it seems he may not even try and may instead dump the challenge of re-opening the Strait of Hormuz on them. At the same time, several European allies are not allowing the U.S. to use their facilities or even cross their airspace in connection with Trump's war. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (ret.), former commanding general of the U.S. Army, Europe, and Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia discuss. Donald Trump was aleady unpopular with Americans before he started his random war with Iran, and now with the cost of living made even more difficult with soaring gas prices, Trump's approval is cratering. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Democratic candidate for Senate, joins to discuss. Rep. Eric Swall joins to discuss pushing back on Trump's bullying, and the effort to hold Trump accountable for January 6 even as Trump has pardoned all of his faithful rioters from that day. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

42 min
MAR 28

'Trump was warned': Reports contradict Trump's claims of surprise by challenges in Iran

Despite Donald Trump expressing shock and surprise at how Iran has responded to being attacked by the United States and Israel, Jen Psaki shares reporting that Trump was warned about everything from attacks on regional U.S. allies to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump's struggle with these challenges is due to a lack of preparation, not a lack of prediction. Former CIA director John Brennan and former Pentagon press secretary John Kirby talk with Jen about the realities Donald Trump has to deal with in Iran. Jen Psaki looks at the bizarre conservative political circus that is CPAC and shares video of an awkward moment in which an intended rallying cry for Republican midterm candidates exposes a growing rift in Donald Trump's base of support. Jane Fonda, actor, activist and founder of the modern Committee for the First Amendment, who is scheduled to attend the flagship protest in St. Paul on No Kings Day, talks with Jen Psaki about what's at stake in standing up to the Trump administration and the importance of "neighboring" to keep communities resilient. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

43 min
MAR 27

Psaki: Trump can't TACO out of Iran

Even as the war in Iran tests Donald Trump's attention span and the patience of American voters, it's not like other problems that Trump has created that he can reverse by changing his mind and making an announcement. Jen Psaki looks at the sticking points of Trump's war in Iran. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, talks with Jen about how decisions are being made behind closed doors in the Trump administration. Jen Psaki shares news that Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to pay TSA agents. But the mess Trump has made of gas prices will not be nearly so easy to fix. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill joins to discuss the challenges of helping her constituents deal with problems Trump has caused. And Norm Eisen, executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund, talks with Jen about the extensive corruption in Donald Trump's administration. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

42 min
MAR 26

Trump losing Republicans over lack of Iran plan; embarrassingly simplistic briefings exposed

Jen Psaki shares new reporting from NBC News about Donald Trump being fed a daily sizzle reel of Iran war explosions, and growing concerns that even the most basic information about the war in Iran is eluding Trump's understanding regardless of the briefing format. And a classified Pentagon briefing of lawmakers on the plan for Iran was apparently so unacceptable that even Republicans were willing to risk Trump's ire to speak out against how the war is being run. Rep. Pat Ryan and Rep. Chris Deluzio talk with Jen about the growing consensus that Donald Trump has no idea what he's doing in Iran or how to get the U.S. out of it. Despite Judge Aileen Cannon restricting some documents from Jack Smith's investigation of Donald Trump from being made public, Rep. Jamie Raskin found that Trump Justice Department shared some of those documents with the House Oversight Committee in an effort to help smear Jack Smith, not realizing they were also exposing Smith's theory of why Trump was hoarding classified documents. Rep. Raskin discusses with Jen Psaki. Rep. Ro Khanna talks with Jen Psaki about progress in the Epstein investigation, which is being done by Congress because Donald Trump's Justice Department doesn't seem to be bothered. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

41 min
MAR 25

Trump stumped: Trump squirms as media presses for answers on Iran

Emily Gregory talks with Jen Psaki after being projected the winner to represent Florida's state House District 87, which covers part of Palm Beach County, including Mar-a-Lago, making Donald Trump one of her new constituents. Jen Psaki tries to make sense of the latest round of answers and explanations from Donald Trump and his Cabinet on how the war in Iran is progressing and what the end of the conflict might look like, even as those answers and explanations only seem to show that the Trump administration doesn't have any answers or explanations. Senator Ruben Gallego joins to discuss how the veterans community in the U.S. is reacting to Donald Trump's war in Iran, and Trump's deployment of ICE to airports. And former Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr talk with Jen about the importance of the Pentagon press corps as the Trump administration skirts a court order to keep the press at arm's length. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

42 min
MAR 21

Judge hands Hegseth huge defeat on media restrictions as Trump continues to wing it on Iran

Jen Psaki shares breaking news that a judge has ruled against Pete Hegseth's effort to restrict the press at the Pentagon from trying to obtain information that isn't explicitly authorized, even if it isn't classified, and talks about the importance of an free news media, particularly in a time of war and with a president who is "lying every time he speaks or is completely out of touch with reality." As Donald Trump keeps the U.S. military engaged in Iran without a clear goal, new crises, like the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, means further engagement. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor, and Robert Malley, former special envoy for Iran, talk with Jen Psaki about how Iran's asymmetric strategy and the global economy at stake could give Trump much more than he bargained for in Iran. And Anna Gomez, commissioner with the FCC talks with Jen about why the deal to merge Nexstar and Tegna is a bad idea. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

43 min

See All (351)

TRAILER

Introducing: Inside with Jen Psaki

Jen Psaki draws on her 20 years with a seat at the table – from the campaign bus to the Oval Office – to tackle the most pressing issues of the week, interview the biggest names in politics, and pull back the curtain on the lives of the people shaping every aspect of American life. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

06/15/2023

•

1 min

Drawing upon his experience as a former chief of staff on the Senate Finance Committee and as an Emmy-winning executive producer and writer of ‘The West Wing,’ Lawrence O’Donnell examines the compelling and impactful political stories of the day. Join him every weeknight.

4.5 (6158)

NEWS
The Rachel Maddow Show airs Mondays at 9pm ET on MS NOW and drops shortly thereafter in this feed.

4.4 (34350)

NEWS
Join Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, and Willie Geist, for in-depth and informed discussions that help drive the day's political conversation. Top newsmakers, Washington insiders, journalists, and cultural influencers, come together on Morning Joe for unparalleled insight and analysis around the day's biggest stories.

3.9 (7927)

NEWS
Drawing on years of experience as communications chief for President George W. Bush and senior advisor for the McCain-Palin campaign, Nicolle Wallace provides political insight and clarity on where the decision-makers stand on complex issues. Join her for analysis and discussion with the key newsmakers every weekday.

4.5 (6239)

POLITICS
The biggest news and political stories of the day with a commitment to in-depth reporting that consistently seeks to hold our leaders accountable.

4.5 (5180)

POLITICS
Who are The Best People? They’re the most magnetic and engaging people in the room; the ones who know how to get that extra something out of every collaboration, connection, and endeavor. These people are the best at what they do and know how to bring out the best in others. Now, in an era of social and political upheaval, The Best People share lessons that we can all use. Listen as Nicolle Wallace seeks varied perspectives on how to keep reaching for truth, decency, and connection.

4.5 (3112)

SOCIETY & CULTURE

View Subscription FAQs

Jen Psaki

Host
Mark Hertling

Guest
Michael McFaul

Guest
Roy Cooper

Guest
Eric Swalwell

Guest
John O. Brennan

Guest
John Kirby

Guest
Jane Fonda

Guest
Pat Ryan

Guest
Chris Deluzio

Guest

4.4

out of 5

912 Ratings

Trumps old tricks are still working

12/11/2025

Lee Esq

Listen to Washington Journal on C-SPAN from 7 AM to 10 PM every day. His supporters believed prices are way down and they’re thrilled with everything he’s done. Tariffs are working nasty deportation are fabulous, etc..
He belongs to Putin

3d ago

B02@

Putin needs NATO to dissolve. Trump is his guy. He has been his guy for the last ten years. You don’t have to be a military genius or a world renowned statesman to see what is happening. Putin ordered Trump to destroy the NATO alliance and weaken the United States in the eyes of the world. He’s doing it and the GOP and SCOTUS are all in. If you vote for a republican at any level this fall, you are voting against your country and helping in the destruction of democracy. Let them know it’s not what you want. You can go back to the party after it changes its position on democracy and we the people.
Trump voted

Mar 25

GMA Manaoio

I thought felons are not allowed to vote????
Thank you

Feb 26

Demi698

I so look forward to hearing from you each morning. Thank you for your thoughtful insight, well-researched stories & just being the excellent you. Stay safe and well.