The Briefing with Jen Psaki

MS NOW

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POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

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

18H AGO

Mixed messages on Iran expose Trump making it up as he goes

Jen Psaki points out the weird and wild inconsistencies in the messaging and explanations from the Trump administration about the war of choice Donald Trump started with Iran, why they did it, what they call it, what they're trying to accomplish and how they're going to keep the world economy from crashing while they do it. Jen Psaki pins down the various excuses and evasions from the Trump administration as new reporting points to evidence that suggests the United States is responsible for bombing a school in Iran, killing 175. Senator Adam Schiff talks with Jen about holding the Trump administration accountable. Donald Trump's endorsement of Republican Clay Fuller in a special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress was not meaningful enough to voters in Georgia to clinch the win for Fuller. Instead, Democratic candidate Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general and cattle rancher, not only forced a runoff but got a higher proportion of the overall vote in a crowded field. Harris talked with Jen Psaki about how he interprets his success so far and his strategy heading to the April 7 runoff. 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
4D AGO

Psaki: Trump flunks wartime president test with disturbing, flippant attitude

Jen Psaki looks at Donald Trump's oddly casual answers to questions about the hardships his war on Iran is imposing on Americans, as well as Defense secretary Pete Hegseth's embarrassing chest pounding and the juvenile propaganda being released on government social media accounts, and questions whether Trump understands or is even capable of being a wartime president. Barbara Starr, former CNN Pentagon correspondent, and Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton (Ret.), talk with Jen about the Trump administration's bizarre treatment of war. Kristi Noem's job as secretary of homeland security may be over, but accountability for her time in office did not simply going away when she was fired. Not only is she facing investigations in states where ICE ran amok on her watch, but massive, taxpayer-funded promotional media contracts she arranged are still the subject of intense inquiry on both sides of the aisle. Rep. Joe Neguse, whose tenacious questioning of Kristi Noem in a House Judiciary Committee hearing almost certainly contributed to her eventually being fired by Donald Trump, talks with Jen Psaki about what comes next in holding Noem accountable for her transgressions while in office. And Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins to talk with Jen about the release of yet more Jeffrey Epstein documents, including ones that mention Donald Trump, and the bigger picture of what Epstein was involved in. 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
5D AGO

Noem commits deadly sin of suggesting Trump's accountability and is promptly fired

Now-former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem managed to keep her job despite a constant stream of scandals and outrages, but as soon as she suggested that Donald Trump, as president of the United States, and therefore her boss, knew about the corruption highlighted in Congressional hearings, that was too much for Trump to tolerate. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz talks with Jen Psaki about all of the reasons former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem should have been fired from her job before Donald Trump finally reached his limit today, and why Noem should get used to spending more time in Minnesota because, as Walz says, "We're going to want some answers" about the ICE abuses that happened in his state under Noem's command. Senator Markwayne Mullin was already a character of dubious competence based on his conduct in hearings and media interviews, but as Donald Trump's choice to replace Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security at a time when ICE is out of control and the U.S. is at war with Iran, expectations for improvements at DHS are low. Rep. Pay Ryan, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Rep. Seth Moulton, and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, all veterans of U.S. military service, discuss with Jen Psaki. And in the midst of an already chaotic news day, even more Jeffrey Epstein documents were relased. Lisa Rubin joins to explain the new material. 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
6D AGO

'What the hell is going on?': Trump admin unable to explain attack on Iran

Jen Psaki shares a dizzying collection of contradictions and nonsense from the Trump administration and its allies trying to explain the reason for attacking Iran, the goals of doing so, or even whether it's ok to call it a war. Senator Mark Kelly joins to discuss the incompetence of the Trump administration's handling of Iran and other national security issues compromised by Trump's poor choices. James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for Senate in Texas in a primary with remarkable turnout, a talented campaigner with a unique ability to speak to voters of faith, and with an opponent who is now emphasizing party unity. On the Republican side, and already acrimonious primary will be tied up in a nasty runoff election for weeks to come, leaving the eventual winner inevitably battered. And all of this takes place in the context of Donald Trump being wildly unpopular and finding new ways to upset American voters almost daily. Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke talks with Jen Psaki about why this year's midterm election holds promise to be the one that finally begins to turn Texas blue. 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 4

MS NOW's special 'We The People' primary coverage of elections in Texas and North Carolina

Rachel Maddow and her MS NOW colleagues track the primary election returns in Texas and North Carolina, with Ali Velshi offering special statistical insights from the big board as one of the most closely watched elections, the Democratic Senate primary between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico mired in legal complications after polling place confusion in Dallas. The panel and special guests offer analysis of what the early voting patterns suggest about Donald Trump's political strength, the tone of public opinion in the United States and what it all could mean for the midterm elections later this year. 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.

1h 39m
FEB 28

Walls are closing in on Trump as missing Epstein documents point to avenue of inquiry

Ali Velshi reviews the dubious dealings and questionable relationships of Donald Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, not the least of which is his association with Jeffrey Epstein, which he was caught lying about. Just as depositions given by Hillary and Bill Clinton to the House Oversight Committee on the matter of Jeffrey Epstein have raised questions about why Donald Trump or Howard Lutnick shouldn't be next to be deposed, the revelation of missing documents in the Epstein files have given those questions greater urgency. Sarah Fitzpatrick, staff writer for The Atlantic, discusses her new reporting about "multiple allegations that have been submitted to the FBI and DOJ in recent years and do not appear in the files." Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa discusses the momentum Democrats are enjoying in Texas heading into midterm election season, and how Donald Trump's deep unpopularity makes he unhelpful to Republican candidates who are struggling with infighting. 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
FEB 27

Hillary Clinton makes fools of Republicans as 'gotcha' subpoena backfires

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee apparently thought that calling Hillary Clinton to testify about Jeffrey Epstein would score them some political points with their base. Instead they looked like fools, wasting everyone's time and only managed to learn that Clinton was possibly the least useful witness they could have called. Rep. James Walkinshaw and Rep. Yassamin Ansari, who serve on the Oversight Committee, join to discuss. It has been clear for months that Donald Trump is very much at risk of losing control of the House and possibly the Senate in this year's midterm elections so he is looking for any way he can to avoid allowing that election to happen in a free and fair way. Now new reporting suggests Trump is considering declaring a national emergency to give himself new powers over the running of elections. Rep. Jamie Raskin joins to discuss. Andrew Bakaj, chief legal counsel for Whistleblower Aid, discusses the latest developments in Tulsi Gabbard trying to keep his whistleblower client's report away from Congres. 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
FEB 26

Trump apparently numb to federal waste as staff burns through taxpayer money

California Governor Gavin Newsom talks with Jen Psaki in an extended interview about the damage Donald Trump has done to democracy in the United States, the threat of his potential successors like JD Vance and Marco Rubio, fighting with the right-wing media machine and what American voters are looking for in a president. Jen Psaki points out that in Donald Trump's first term, Cabinet members who wasted taxpayer money on personal luxuries like planes were cast out of the administration. Donald Trump appears to have lost his aversion to that type of abuse because making spectacles of themselves indulging in taxpayer funded benefits, but haven't prompted any scorn from Trump for doing so. Jon Lovett, co-host of Pod Save America on Crooked Media, joins Jen Psaki to discuss. Crooked Media podcasts will be featured on MS NOW beginning this Saturday, February 8 at 9pm ET. 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

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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

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Jen Psaki

Host
Adam Schiff

Guest
Shawn Harris

Guest
Barbara Starr

Guest
Paul Eaton

Guest
Joe Neguse

Guest
Sheldon Whitehouse

Guest
Tim Walz

Guest
Pat Ryan

Guest
Jake Auchincloss

Guest

4.4

out of 5

895 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..
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.
For or against new war MSNOW??

Feb 20

Almost-deaf

I cannot find in any of ALL MSNOW podcast a voice saying if they are ok with a new war or not, a clear opinion. How many podcast MSNOW has? A LOT! And yet, I’m still trying to find one person that says “hey! Let’s not start wars!” We are not being attacked, and yet you seem fine with it. Really sad and deeply spineless, about any subject, a bunch of people just reading from a teleprompters with stuff that somebody else wrote. Sad and BORING.
One entity is responsible for our current woes

Feb 19

B02@

SCOTUS. They are in league with the GOP and the One Percent. If they followed the constitution, none of this BS would be happening. Remember they kept trump out of prison with their ruling that he is above the law, and apparently he can pass that property on to anyone who he needs to accomplish the destruction of our democracy.