The Briefing with Jen Psaki

MS NOW

4.4 (956)
Politics
Updated Weekly

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

13h ago

DISGRACED by Iran failure, Trump is tormented by Obama's superior skill

Former President Barack Obama has made permanent residence in Donald Trump's head for most of Trump's political life, and now, in the shadow of his failed war on Iran, the contrast between Trump's shortcomings and Obama's accomplishments only add to Trump's burden. Jen Psaki traces the roots of Trump's insecurity about Obama, and talks with House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Senator Jon Ossoff lays into his new Republican opponent, Trumpy Rep. Mike Collins, and responds to Donald Trump's petty name calling with withering criticism of Trump's performance in office. Jen Psaki shares a clip of MS NOW's Michelle Norris' exclusive interview with former President Barack Obama in conjunction with the opening of his presidential library. The full interview will air as part of a two hour special on Friday, June 19 at 9pm ET on MS NOW. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation talks with Jen Psaki about the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. 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

Blurting Kash Patel brings fresh embarrassment to Donald Trump

Donald Trump's sycophantic FBI director, Kash Patel, has reportedly caused a rift between the FBI and the Secret Service for impulsively posting to social media about an investigation that was still ongoing, part of a pattern of Patel being unable to restrain himself. Patel's embarrassment comes as he is newly accused of making payouts to his inner circle from a taxpayer funded slush fund. Senator Adam Schiff joins Jen Psaki to discuss. As Republican candidates wrestle over who can be Trumpier than the other, Democratic candidates are focused on the issues that matter to voters. Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia, talks with Jen Psaki about the asymmetry of the election and why it's important to have reasonable people in leadership positions in the age of Trump. Ali Velshi tracks another night of election returns. Jim Messina, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, and Tim Miller, host of the Bulwark podcast, offer analysis of what the results suggest about the shape of the electorate and the November elections. 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
5d ago

Legal SMACKDOWN: Millions await Trump's name RIPPED from Kennedy Center

People gathered in person and online to witness the removal of Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.. The Trump administration made last-ditch efforts to delay the removal. Ultimately, the courts pushed back. Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirshner joins Jen to discuss. Following SpaceX's debut trading on the NASDAQ, Jen Psaki breaks down why you may end up boosting Elon Musk's net worth, whether you like it or not. Jen interviews Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to discuss her first six months as governor, redistricting efforts in her state, and more. Democratic Congressman Adriano Espaillat joins The Briefing following a fiery debate with Mamdani-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier. 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
6d ago

MAGA regret: Trump's failed policies, broken promises drive supporters away

Jen Psaki looks at catastrophic polling data about how Americans feel about Donald Trump and his handling of issues like the economy and his war with Iran Jen also shares interviews from MS NOW reporter Alex Tabet with frustrated Trump voters who turning away from Trump. "They thought he was going to lower costs. They thought he was going to end the wars. They thought he was going to drain the swamp. They thought he was going to release the Epstein files. And now they're feeling pretty disillusioned." Democratic candidate for Senate from Texas, James Talarico, talks with Jen Psaki about how Donald Trump's broken promises and the hardships imposed by Trump's economy are giving his campaign the opportunity to connect with previously inaccessible voters and have a real shot at flipping that Senate seat in November. Norm Eisen, executive director of Democracy Defenders Fund, talks with Jen about the illegality of Donald Trump's self-indulgent use of federal resources, including the White House, for his personal aggrandizement and birthday celebration. John Brennan, former director of the CIA, joins to discuss Jay Clayton, Donald Trump's new DNI nominee, and the perils of Bill Pulte serving in the acting-DNI role for even a short period of time. 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
Jun 11

Epstein files release sent White House into CRISIS MODE: New report

A new report from the New York Times exposes the frantic response from Donald Trump's White House to protect Trump from fallout from the revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files and his association with the notorious sex predator. Rep. Robert Garcia talks with Jen Psaki about what the report's revelations mean for the ongoing congressional investigation. In addition to bizarrely declaring his love for inflation, Donald Trump also announced that the U.S. is taking Iranian oil. Rep. Emilia Sykes took advantage of the fact that Trump's energy secretary, Chris Wright, was testifying before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, and pressed Wright to address Trump's statements, leaving the secretary at a loss. Democratic candidate for Senate from Maine, Graham Platner talks with Jen Psaki about leaving the past behind and the road ahead to the general election. 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
Jun 10

'We are ready for change!': Victorious Platner thanks supporters and BLASTS Susan Collins

Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for Senate from Maine, addresses his supporters in declaring victory in the Democratic primary, thanking them for his support, laying out his vision for the issues he hopes to champion on their behalf in Washington, D.C., and presenting a blistering criticism of Senator Susan Collins, his Republican opponent in the general election. Ali Velshi, MS NOW chief data reporter, breaks down primary election returns as they are reported. MS NOW's Alex Tabet shares his reporting on how Maine voters view the Senate primary race. And Jim Messina, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, and Alex Seitz-Wald, deputy editor of the Midcoast Villager, talk with Jen Psaki about the stakes of the 2026 election and what voters are showing their priorities are. 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.

50 min
Jun 6

Report exposes hidden $50 billion price tag on Trump's ballroom

A report from the non-profit watchdog group Public Citizen points out that while Donald Trump insists that donations are paying for his vanity project ballroom, those donors are being granted federal contracts totaling more than $50 billion. Ruth Ben Ghiat, author of "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present,” and Timothy L. O'Brien, senior executive editor of Bloomberg Opinion, discuss Donald Trump's corruption and how his behavior is typical of authoritarians, from trying to put his name and face on everything to going to war against the free press. The discovery of the screwworm parasite in cattle in Texas has raised alarm about the struggling U.S. cattle industry and the already high price of beef for American consumers. Ali Velshi explains the careful government precautions necessary to protect American livestock from the damaging screwworm, and how Donald Trump threw those precautions out the window. Rebecca Cooke, Democratic candidate for Congress from Wisconsin, talks with Ali Velshi about the hardships farmers have endured as a result of Donald Trump's policies and why his words on a visit with Wisconsin farmers rang hollow to anyone actually experiencing the fallout from Trump's tariffs, high fuel prices, cuts to local services and more. 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
Jun 5

Trump plays dangerous game with 'little Trump' DNI pick

While Democratic candidate for Senate, Graham Platner, has incorporated a story of personal redemption as part of his campaign persona, new details are illustrating just how dark the life was from which he was redeemed. Chris Hayes follows his interview with Platner with a discussion of how compromising the latest revelations are for Platner's candidacy. Donald Trump is ready to appoint his own criminal defense attorney as Attorney General, and let slip that he wants the DOJ investigating his 2020 loss to Joe Biden. Senator Alex Padilla joins to discuss. Former CIA director John Brennan discusses what's at stake with Donald Trump's choice of a sycophant with no intelligence experience to be the new director of national intelligence, and why someone who found a way to weaponize mortgage data against people Donald Trump doesn't like is a dangerous person to give access to America's intelligence products. Donald Trump already had little room to spare in commanding the loyalty of the House majority, but as his popularity continues to sag and legislators become increasingly aware of the upcoming election and how upset their constituents are, more Republicans are willing to step out of line, including on Iran war power, Ukraine aid, and more sanctions against Russia (which Trump objects to for some reason). Rep. Gregory Meeks 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

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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
Alex Tabet

Guest
James Talarico

Guest
Norman L. Eisen

Guest
John O. Brennan

Guest
Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Guest
Timothy L. O'Brien

Guest
Rebecca Cooke

Guest
Graham Platner

Guest
Alex Padilla

Guest

4.4

out of 5

956 Ratings

Counter factual

11/08/2025

Gordie Seattle

What happens if Trump is convicted of war crimes for his extrajudicial killings?
Mondavi interview..disappointed!

May 29

Jelly Car LMAO

Ilistened to today’s interview with Mondavi,and was struck not one mention of the Jewish voters, and their fear of his radicalism regarding Israel. No. mention of his not going to the Israel parade, either. I am so sad,as I usually likeJen..but, herlack of full picture discussion with Mondavi makes me very uncertain about her.so very disappointed.It would have been great for her to talk about Jewish New Yorkers, and theirambivalences about Mondavi or anger. Of the anti Israel commentshe and his wife have made..why didshe not addressthem?WHY isn’t he attending the Israel parade? Did he attend anyArab honored parades? Is not the Mayor supposed to be impartial, his full interest ALL NYCers? What are there 3million Jewish people residing in NYC?Jen, if you could be so blindon the ramifications of Mondavi for such a big poetion of NYCity electorate,what elsedo you polish over.sincerely,this is a bridge too far for me, a used to be Jen fan
Comey & the Supreme Court

May 15

Lee Esq

As an attorney, I begged to differ with Mr. Comey. The Supreme Court has no enforceable code of ethics and is the most corrupt pro corporate in my lifetime This courts abusive use of the shadow docket makes it impossible for lower courts to follow because one paragraph rulings are useless.
Thank you

Apr 30

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. ps-We are celebrating May Day tomorrow in rural & agricultural SE Washington State with gas prices now over $5 gal and diesel prices at $6.99 gal. The cost of fertilizer is also rising rapidly. Neither of these are helping our many farming communities.