The Briefing with Jen Psaki

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Reality calls Trump's bluff as reassurances on Iran effects fall flat Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump has trained his acolytes in politics and media to echo his reassuring buzz phrases about weathering the short term effects of his war on Iran on the energy markets and global economy, but catchy slogans aren't changing the facts of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the sudden energy crisis that everyone in the world can see happening in front of their own eyes.

James Talarico is already running against one of two very flawed Republican opponents to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, in a race that could determine control of the Senate. But Donald Trump's steadily sinking popularity and politically disastrous policies from his anti-immigrant cruelty to his senseless war on Iran and the economic fallout that Americans are already feeling, have given voters even more reason to consider making this the election that turns Texas blue. Talarico talks with Jen Psaki about the unnecessary challenges Americans are dealing with as a result of Donald Trump's mismanagement of the White House.

After two attacks in one day that appear to be related to Donald Trump's war on Iran, former CIA director John Brennan talks with Jen Psaki about the domestic national security threats that come with picking a fight with Iran.

And with Donald Trump pushing for the passage of an election bill, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries talks with Jen about Democratic plans to push back on Trump's effort to manipulate elections, as well as his war on Iran.

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'AMATEUR HOUR': Trump looks foolish before the world with self-evident poor planning in Iran Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

As Donald Trump continues to offer contradictory answers and explanations, his war on Iran is running into some foreseeable problems that were among the reasons attacking Iran was ill-advised in the first place. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor, and Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, talk with Jen Psaki about the deadly, expensive mess Donald Trump and his defense secretary, former weekend cable news host Pete Hegseth, are making.

Jen Psaki points out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's dismaying preoccupation with his personal image while signs of the mismanagement of Donald Trump's war on Iran multiply, including new reporting that the U.S. was likely responsible for hitting an Iranian school full of children with a missile.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the House Oversight Committee, talks with Jen about hearing the testimony of Jeffrey Epstein's accountant, which somehow produced more questions than answers.

And Rep. Chris Deluzio joins the show to discuss how U.S. military veterans are reacting to Donald Trump's second term military adventurism and the degree to which his actions contradict what he campaigned on.

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Mixed messages on Iran expose Trump making it up as he goes Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Psaki: Trump flunks wartime president test with disturbing, flippant attitude Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Noem commits deadly sin of suggesting Trump's accountability and is promptly fired Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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.

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'What the hell is going on?': Trump admin unable to explain attack on Iran Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

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MS NOW's special 'We The People' primary coverage of elections in Texas and North Carolina Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Walls are closing in on Trump as missing Epstein documents point to avenue of inquiry Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Hillary Clinton makes fools of Republicans as 'gotcha' subpoena backfires Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Trump apparently numb to federal waste as staff burns through taxpayer money Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

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.

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