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The Briefing with Jen Psaki

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Apr 2, 2024 • 40min

Put Up or Shut Up: Gag Order Expanded as Trump Posts Bond

Guest host Michael Steele sits in for Jen this week, addressing Trump's vitriolic rhetoric targeting Judge Juan Merchan, who just expanded an existing gag order on Trump to protect family members of the court in the hush money case in New York. Former Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Mary McCord, and former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner join Steele to discuss the breaking development and later, former assistant attorney general for New York, Tristan Snell, gives his analysis on Trump’s $175M bond, which he posted late in the evening. Former Obama campaign manager, David Plouffe, joins to talk about how Republicans critical of Trump could benefit the Biden campaign. Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani of talks about State's Supreme Court's dual rulings, putting abortion on the ballot in November while upholding a draconian abortion ban. Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 26, 2024 • 42min

American Hustle: A Tale of Two Trump Trials

Jen Psaki explains why Donald Trump has been a beneficiary, rather than a victim, of the two-tiered justice system in this country. Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and legal analyst Kristy Greenberg join Jen to break down the latest in Trump's hush money case, which is set to go to trial on April 15. Next, Jen is joined by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson to discuss the GOP's attempts to discredit the January 6th committee's findings under the direction of Trump. Later, Jen offers her thoughts on NBC's hiring of former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel and the importance of honest, good-faith discourse in the face of election denialism. Finally, former Senator Al Franken joins the show to discuss the current state of our political system as the Republican party veers closer towards becoming the party of Donald Trump.Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 25, 2024 • 42min

A Kick in the Assets: Trump's Cash Crunch

Jen Psaki breaks down Trump's cash problems and his ongoing grift-- using other people's money to cover his personal legal expenses. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joins Jen to outline the stark differences between the chaos reigning the GOP and the accomplishments uniting the Democratic party. Jen is also joined by Ambassador Michael McFaul to discuss Vladimir Putin's baseless attempt to shift blame for a deadly terrorist attack from ISIS to Ukraine. Next, legal experts Andrew Weissmann and Neal Katyal join to discuss what to expect in Trump's criminal trials ahead of the bond deadline in his fraud case. Later, Kara Swisher joins Jen to discuss her new book, "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story", including Elon Musk and his echoing of Trump's threatening immigration rhetoric. Finally, Jen is joined by veteran political reporter Amy Chozick to preview her new show on MAX, "The Girls on the Bus," which follows four women journalists on the campaign trail.Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 19, 2024 • 42min

A History of Violence: Trump's Rhetoric is Déjà vu All Over Again

In the wake of Donald Trump's "bloodbath" comments, Jen Psaki explains looks back at his threatening and dehumanizing language to showcase his embrace of political violence. Michael Tyler, Biden campaign communications director, joins Jen to discuss why Trump does not deserve the benefit of the doubt, drawing a stark contrast with President Biden. Next, Jen breaks down the mounting delays in Trump's criminal trials with legal experts Andrew Weissmann and Melissa Murray. Later, Jim Sciutto joins to discuss his new book, "The Return of Great Powers," including the parallels between Trump and foreign autocrats like Vladimir Putin. Jen also discusses the MAGA-takeover of the Republican National Committee and what it means for the 2024 presidential election. Finally, Senator Debbie Stabenow joins Jen for an exit interview ahead of her departure from Congress.  Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 13, 2024 • 42min

Hungary for Power: Trump the Aspiring Autocrat

Jen Psaki breaks down how Donald Trump's recent behavior is rooted in his idolization of authoritarian leaders, including Hungary’s Viktor Orban, who he recently hosted at Mar-a-lago. Rep. Adam Schiff joins Jen to discuss what Trump's security vulnerabilities and his desperation for power might mean for a potential second term, among other topics. Next, Jen outlines the right-wing's hypocritical critiques of Biden ahead of special counsel Robert Hur's testimony before Congress. Rep. Dan Goldman joins to preview Hur's testimony and discuss the importance of a former Trump employee's testimony in his classified documents case. Later, Jen discusses Sen. Katie Britt's misleading story about a victim of sex trafficking with independent journalist Jonathan Katz who helped unravel it on TikTok. Finally, Jen analyzes the messaging failures of the royal family as an altered photo of Kate Middleton intensifies an ongoing PR crisis.Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 10, 2024 • 41min

The Fate of the Union: When "Change" Is Not For the Better

Jen Psaki outlines the contrasting visions of President Biden and Donald Trump as Trump's campaign attempts to portray him as a "change" candidate. Governor Tim Walz joins the show to set the stakes for November and explain why this presidential election isn’t just a normal horserace. Jen is also joined by Neal Katyal and Andrew Weissmann to break down Trump’s perilous financial situation, including who might be helping guarantee the bonds covering millions in legal judgements and what they may have to gain. Next, Jen explains why Sen. Katie Britt’s strange SOTU rebuttal is just another example of how the MAGA fringe has taken over the Republican party. Jordan Klepper unpacks Britt’s speech and reflects on his conversations with voters who say they will choose Trump over Biden despite their disapproval of the former president. Finally, Jen conducts an exit interview with John Kerry as he wraps up his term as the first ever U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 6, 2024 • 41min

What They Didn't Say: SCOTUS Rules on 14th Amendment

Jen Psaki breaks down what the Supreme Court said -- and didn't say -- in their ruling that states do not have the power to remove Donald Trump from the ballots under the 14th Amendment. Former NAACP Legal Defense Fund President Sherrilyn Ifill and lawyer George Conway react to the news of that decision and discuss the alarming ways in which SCOTUS has aided Trump in his legal battles. Amid new polling that spells trouble for the Biden campaign, Jen also addresses the choice that voters must make in November, despite whatever reservations they may have about the President. Newly elected Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi of New York joins Jen in his first cable interview since being sworn-in. And in an interview with Jessica Mackler of EMILY'S List, Jen breaks the news that Mackler has officially become the group's new president. Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Mar 3, 2024 • 42min

Nine Lives: Supreme Court Takes Up Trump Immunity Claim

Jen Psaki breaks down the Supreme Court's explosive decision this week to take up Donald Trump's absurd claim that a former president is immune from criminal prosecution. Rep. Jamie Raskin joins Jen to talk about how Trump’s friends on the court may have played a role in the decision that will inevitably delay his trial in the Federal election case. MSNBC Legal Analysts Neal Katyal and Andrew Weissmann also join to discuss how Trump's claim of immunity amounts to a get out of jail free card, as well as the possibility that Trump's classified documents trial in Florida will also be delayed. Next, Beto O’Rourke shares his reaction to Trump and Biden's dual visits to the southern border and explains how Democrats should push back against right-wing fearmongering.  And as Mitch McConnell announces his departure from his leadership post in the Senate, Jen takes a look back into his legacy and the Frankenstein monster he helped create.Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki 
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Feb 27, 2024 • 42min

Camp-pains: Trump's Baggage is a Bigger Drag

Jen Psaki breaks down the very different set of challenges facing President Joe Biden and Donald Trump as their respective campaigns gear up for a rematch -- explaining why Trump’s baggage is far heavier than Biden’s. James Carville joins the show to examine the state of the presidential race and how Democrats can seize upon their financial and political advantages in 2024.  Next, Preet Bharara joins Jen to break down Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s request for a gag order against Trump – one month ahead of his first criminal trial. Later, Jen is joined by Representative Elissa Slotkin to preview the Michigan primary as President Biden’s policy towards Israel’s war in Gaza divides Democratic voters. Jen also outlines how the GOP and Russia’s goals are more aligned than ever, as recent NBC reporting reveals that Russian efforts to interfere in our next election have already begun. Finally, Jen calls out former members of Trump’s administration who haven’t spoken out nearly enough about the danger he poses in a second term.Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki
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Feb 25, 2024 • 42min

Party Foul: Something Rotten in the State of the GOP

Following Donald Trump’s victory over Nikki Haley in South Carolina's Republican primary, Jen outlines the GOP’s bizarre allegiance to Trump in the face of his increasingly unhinged and racist remarks. Jen is joined by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro who discusses the importance of contrasting President Joe Biden’s accomplishments with Trump’s legal woes going into the 2024 election, among other topics. Next, Former Trump Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews reflects on the threat Trump poses to democracy in a potential second term and calls out former colleagues “twice her age” who have yet to denounce the former president. Later, Jen is joined by legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Neal Katyal to examine Trump’s far-fetched claims of presidential immunity in the classified documents case, while the Supreme Court weighs whether to consider Trump's immunity appeal in the Federal election case. Jen also breaks down the GOP’s contradictory response to the Alabama Supreme Court’s IVF ruling, as Trump backtracks from his party’s attacks on reproductive freedom. Finally, author Jared Cohen joins the show to discuss his new book “Life After Power,” which serves as a reminder that when it comes to the history of the presidency, Donald Trump is the exception and not the rule. Check out our social pages below:https://twitter.com/InsideWithPsakihttps://www.instagram.com/InsideWithPsaki/https://www.tiktok.com/@insidewithpsakihttps://www.msnbc.com/jen-psaki

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