Inside with Jen Psaki

When Donald Trump boasts that a new steel plant is already under construction in Iowa, who better to check the veracity of that claim than the people in Iowa who live where the plant is supposedly being built? Jen Psaki shares examples of Donald Trump making promises on the campaign trail that have no basis in reality as far as the people most closely connected to the news can tell.Former Senator Doug Jones talks with Jen about Donald Trump preaching to the choir campaign tour.Jen Psaki considers Donald Trump accusation that news organizations are spreading misinformation about national security and takes a closer look at the information Trump is spreading, including an odd claim that Iran had drug factories in their nuclear factories when U.S. bombs blew them up. The White House was not helpful in shedding further light on Trump's claim.Free speech attorney Ted Boutrous talks with Jen about progress in the lawsuit brought by news organizations against the Trump administration over the banning of members of the news media from the White House.Fallon Gallagher, MS NOW legal affairs reporter, talks with Jen about breaking news of a new filing in the White House press ban case.Jen Psaki relays new reporting in The Atlantic about the lengths to which FBI Director Kash Patel will go to win Donald Trump's favor even if it means neglecting the FBI's national security responsibilities or interfering in the midterm 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.

Jen Psaki explains that Donald Trump is hosting another dinner in support of his cryptocurrency meme coin, ignoring the fact that his own followers took massive losses investing in the coin, with many openly disparaging him for it.Rep. Jamie Raskin joins to discuss the myriad ways the Trump administration operates outside of ethical and even legal bounds, and the investigations Democrats are likely to open if they win control of the House.Jen Psaki shares highlights from a new interview Donald Trump gave to Time magazine that shows someone woefully out of touch, misguided on the facts, and tone deaf about his political situation.Jim Acosta, former White House correspondent for CNN, joins to discuss Donald Trump's resentment of a news media that won't adore him. 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.

September 30, 2026 - Despite the increasingly dangerous global security environment, made even more dangerous by Donald Trump's inexplicable war on Iran and Pete Hegseth's mismanagement of it, Hegseth has devoted his attention to prioritizing a cartoonish image of what it means to be an American servicemember. Michael Steele discusses with veterans Rep. Pat Ryan and Rep. Chris Deluzio.Former congressman and ambassador, Rahm Emanuel, joins to discuss the steady implosion of Ken Paxton's Senate campaign in Texas and the responsibility Donald Trup bears for for putting Republicans at a disadvantage in Texas for the first time in a very long time. Senator Eric Schmitt was warned that the text message he planned to use as a perjury trap for special counsel Jack Smith had not been vetted, but Schmitt was so convinced of his own conspiracy theory about the criminal investigations of Donald Trump that he ignored the warning and ran headlong into humiliating himself in the national spotlight. Capitol Hill reporter Mychael Schnell joins to explain MS NOW's exclusvie reporting and former Senator Claire McCaskill provides her analysis. 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.

Jen Psaki shares the events at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee in which Republican Senator Eric Schmitt thought he had caught former special counsel Jack Smith in a perjury gotcha only to be called out for his spectacular failure by Senator Amy Klobuchar who pointed out that Schmitt's blind spot for women's sports led him into what Psaki describes as a "slow-moving self-implosion" leaving Smith unscathed and unflapped.Senator Amy Klobuchar joins Jen to talk about destroying Senator Eric Schmitt's big "gotcha" moment with a simple fact check.Senator Cory Booker joins to discuss the issues facing the Senate and the U.S. government broadly.Rep. Jim Himes, likely chair of the House Intelligence Committee if the Democrats take control of the House with the upcoming midterm elections, talks with Jen Psaki about how Democrats intend to investigate Trump administration corruption like pay-to-play deals if they are able to take control of the House with the coming midterm 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.

September 25, 2026 - Jen Psaki holds Donald Trump's boasts about helping Republican candidates on the campaign trail up against the reality that he is being sent to safely Republican districts where he not only won't face pushback from angry American voters, but he won't cause any damage with his politically toxic poll numbers.Pastor Adam Hamilton, Democratic candidate for Senate from Kansas talks with Jen about why his blue campaign is performing so well in such a red state.Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket talks with Jen about whether and how much to worry about Donald Trump's efforts to purge voter rolls. Jen Psaki unearths past video of Donald Trump decrying state dinners, especially with China, and contrasts them with Donald Trump's literal red carpet treatment of China's President Xi, embarrassing himself and the United States with his fawning admiration. Former U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan 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.

September 24, 2026 - As Donald Trump ban on members of the media whose coverage he doesn't like continues to play out in court, Jen Psaki points out that the media model Trump seems to most want to emulate is that of the dictators he admires.Peter Alexander, chief national reporter for MS NOW, and Jim Acosta, former chief White House correspondent for CNN, discuss the importance of news organizations staying united in the face of Donald Trump's attacks.Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirscher talks with Jen about the legal principles behind Donald Trump's failure to defend banning certain members of the media from the White House.Rob Flaherty and Jesse Lehrich, co-hosts of the "Nobody Knows Anything" show, talk with Jen Psaki about the desperation among Republican legislators up for reelection this November trying to distance themselves from Donald Trump as Trump continues to double down on some of his most unpopular positions. 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.

September 23, 2026 - Jen Psaki points out that the last time Donald Trump lost his cool and tried to ban a member of the news media from the White House he had just been clobbered by a blue wave midterm and his political power was at a nadir. Polling shows him to be even worse off now than he was then. Jim Acosta, former chief White House correspondent for CNN who successfully challenged being banned from the White House in Trump's first term, joins to discuss why Trump's bad news makes him angry at the news media.Jen Psaki explains that despite the importance of the visit to the United States by China's President Xi, the fuss Trump made to greet Xi was not covered by the TV press pool because of Donald Trump's decision to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Jay Carney, former White House press secretary, joins to discuss. Rep. Jamie Raskin joins Jen in the studio to talk about the many ways Donald Trump violates the U.S. constitution, from tearing apart the White House to attempting to interfere in states' 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.

While Donald Trump banning news organizations from the White House because he doesn't like their coverage is objectively inexcusable in the United States of America, Republicans are nonetheless trying their hardest to make excuses for Trump. Jen Psaki dismantles them with facts and context.Jen Psaki shows the many Republican candidates campaigning for the coming midterm elections with a suspiciously similar message about the need for Donald Trump's disastrous Iran war to come to a quick end. But Psaki also points out that many of these Republicans failed to vote for war powers resolutions that would have forced Trump's hand in bringing the war to an end.Jen Psaki shares new video of former President Barack Obama advocating for more people younger than himself to be elected to office and criticizing "old men" who won't make way for a new generation of leaders. Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins to discuss the importance of a younger generation serving in government at a time when new technology is changing Americans' lives at an alarming rate. 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.

Jen Psaki reviews the history of American presidents clashing with members of the press but still respecting their First Amendment role, and reports on Donald Trump's declaration that he is banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House. Trump previously lost a legal challenge to banning a member of the press, and Psaki notes that Trump's war on the free press hasn't prevented the press from continuing to cover him and his administration.Terry Moran and Eugene Daniels join to discuss the relationship between presidents and the press, and Donald Trump's thin skin and petty nature.Kerry Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy's niece, talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's threat to destroy the Kennedy Center, a memorial to her uncle, if Trump is not allowed to also put his own name on it, and points out the contrast between JFK's vision of service to one's country versus Donald Trump's corruption and self-dealing.Texas State Rep. Jon Rosenthal talks about the unexpcted support he is receiving from Republicans after his opponent revealed himself to be too racist even for very the low bar Republicans set. 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.

Jen Psaki looks at Republican candidates who have purged their campaign materials of mentions of Donald Trump or have avoided events with Trump or Trump officials. Some candidates are even speaking out in defiance of Trump despite having previously been supportive. But Trump is too unpopular now to admit that support.Even as Republicans insist that technology companies can police themselves to ensure the public is safe from overstepping artificial intelligence and Donald Trump assures Americans that his firm hand is all that is necessary, the artificial intelligence industry continues to make alarming disclosures about the dangerous capabilities of A.I. and its occasional tendency to do something it supposedly shouldn't be able to do. Ronan Farrow, investigative reporter for the New Yorker, joins to discuss.Rep. Joyce Beatty talks with Jen Psaki about her fight to defend the Kennedy Center from Donald Trump's spitefulness.Sherrod Brown joins to discuss his campaign to retake his old Senate seat for Ohio.And Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, former U.S. Election Assistance commissioners, talk with Jen about protecting the right to vote and also the practice of voting, and emphasize checking to make sure your registration is up to date. 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.

Jen Psaki explains how articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth, filed by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, put House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans in an awkward position so he ended the session a day early to avoid having to deal with it. This comes as new reports show that the Trump administration is not being forthcoming about the damage Iran is inflicting on U.S. assets. Senator Mark Kelly joins to share his views on the matter.The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been working hard to make that no longer the case. Jen Psaki traces Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine activism through his time as Donald Trump's Health and Human Services secretary overseeing a surge in preventable measles cases including several deaths. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, whose state has been hit particularly hard by the measles outbreak, 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.

Jen Psaki shares videos of Donald Trump answering questions about artificial intelligence that suggest that he does not actually know what artificial intelligence is, though he certainly seems aware that it is another area in which he can use his corrupt influence to make himself more wealthier.Senator Jon Ossoff talks with Jen Psaki about the myriad issues associated with new artificial intelligence technology and how a competent president who could understand the issue beyond how to exploit his power over it to make himself rich would be addressing the matter and using the tool of government to make sure that the interests and safety of the American public was being served.Senator Adam Schiff joins to discuss FBI Director Kash Patel's testimony in the Senate today and the oversight Democrats hope to conduct if they can take control of the Senate after the midterm 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.

Jen Psaki shares reporting on the sudden departure of fervent Trump acolyte Joe DiGenova, who had been tasked with proving the existence of a grand conspiracy against Donald Trump and failed to secure even a single indictment. Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins to share his insights.Barbara Starr, former CNN Pentagon correspondent, shares her reflections on the events of September 11th and its aftermath.Donald Trump's desperation continues to grow with the release of each new poll as results show Trump and the Republican Party falling farther out of favor with the American public. But Marc Elias, one of democracy's greatest legal champions in the Trump era, believes at least one of Trump's desperation tactics, his attack on mail-in voting, will fail at the Supreme Court. Elias joins Jen Psaki to talk about why.Antonia Hylton previews her new show and talks with Jen about visiting the Big Bend region of Texas and talking with regretful Trump voters. 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.

Jen Psaki talks with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries about Donald Trump's "phony promise" to give every adult in America $5000 and why Trump is resorting to such a transparent gimmick with the midterm elections looming ever closer.Jen Psaki looks at how JD Vance is trying to distinguish himself from Donald Trump, particularly on Iran policy, while being stuck in the role of making excuses for Trump's poorly considered ideas as he eyes the 2028 presidential race. 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.

Jen Psaki shares video of Donald Trump weirdly claiming to members of the media that many Republicans did not attend his midterm Republican convention in Texas because there is no enough room for them, even though the event is being held in a massive arena that video shows to have plenty of empty seats.Jen Psaki looks at Republican candidates trying to distance themselves from Donald Trump so his deep unpopularity will do the least amount of damage to their campaigns, even as Trump insists that associating with him and making himself the central focus of the midterm elections is the best strategy for the Republican Party.Mitch Landrieu, former senior advisor to President Joe Biden, and Jim Messina, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, discuss how Republicans are struggling to distance themselves from Trump to avoid being punished by voters because of his unpopularity.State Rep. Gina Hinojosa talks with Jen Psaki about her race for governor of Texas.Following an alarming warning raised by an Anthropic employee resigning in protest over the threat of artificial intelligence to the very survival of humanity, members of Congress are giving more serious consideration to regulating A.I. Rep. Greg Casar talks with Jen Psaki about legislation he is introducing with Senator Bernie Sanders called the Ban Superintelligence Act to make sure A.I. does not get dangerously out of control. 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.

Jen Psaki points out that Republicans should rethink their new talking points that 2026 is an election of common sense versus crazy when they are running so many candidates who would seem to fall into the crazy category.Illinois Governor JB Pritzker talks with Jen Psaki about how corruption has become a hallmark of the Trump administration, and why the only road to accountability is with a Congress controlled by Democrats.Jen Psaki looks at new polling showing that Donald Trump's extreme upopularity is driving down the number of people who identify as Republicans and driving up the number of people who identify as Democrats. David Plouffe, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, joins to discuss what this means in terms of the midterm election and whether these numbers will be echoed in voting patterns. 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.

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, a Democratic candidate for Congress, and Rep. Chris Deluzio, talk with Jen Psaki about how the House and Senate should be using their oversight responsibilities to hold Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth to account for their shambolic handling of the war in Iran and their mismanagement of the U.S. military, and why Americans need to take Republicans out of power in Congress if they want to restore checks and balances to Trump's power.Jen Psaki looks at how voters in Tarrant County, Texas are livid over a party-line vote to remove dozens of polling sites for this year's midterm elections. And House Democrats are focused on a newly exposed scheme to use the U.S. Postal Service to disrupt mail-in voting. Rep. Robert Garcia joins to discuss efforts by Democrats to shine a bright light on Donald Trump's mail-in ballot scheme to keep voters informed and hold U.S.P.S. officials accountable for any deviations from the law.Troy Jackson, Maine Democratic candidate for Senate, talks with Jen Psaki about messaging in the campaign. 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.

Jen Psaki looks at how JD Vance is trying to minimize Donald Trump's war against Iran even as there appears to be a new escalation of fighting and Pete Hegseth is reportedly extending deployments in the Middle East. But as criticism of the administration grows louder, so does criticism of Republicans in charge of Congress as well as military leaders who are not pushing back on Trump's recklessness. Frank Kendall, former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force joins to discuss.Jen Psaki looks at how Elon Musk's tone deafness on issues like data centers and his evident antisemitism, not to mention his image as a villain to many Americans since his disastrous implementation of DOGE at the start of Trump's second term, makes him a likely political liability for Republicans even as he hopes to help them financially. Jesse Lehrich and Rob Flaherty, co-hosts of the "Nobody Knows Anything" show, join to discuss.Rep. Joe Neguse talks with Jen about Donald Trump's efforts to corrupt mail-in voting.Jessica Mackler, president of EMILYs list, talks with Jen Psaki about the life and legacy of Gloria Steinem. 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.

Jen Psaki takes a closer look at how former weekend right-wing cable news host Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's defense secretary, is gutting the top tiers of the U.S. military while doing a poor job handling Donald Trump's inexplicable war on Iran, and running down the U.S. military with wasteful, ill-considered decisions. Rahm Emanual, former Obama White House chief of staff, discusses the crisis of Pete Hegseth's leadership. Rahm Emanual, former Obama White House chief of staff, makes an emphatic case to Jen Psaki that the Democratic Socialists of America are their own party, separate from the Democratic Party, and should be treated as such, including for primary elections. Priya Sridhar, MS NOW Pentagon correspondent, reports from Thailand on the USS Lincoln coming to port. Rep. Pat Ryan talks with Jen Psaki about keeping voting secure for Americans and safe from Donald Trump. 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.

The tech executives who have debased themselves sucking up to Donald Trump and taken advantage of Trump's negligent regulatory attitude are not only feeling direct political pressure over things like addictive algorithms and resource-sucking data centers, but they're recognizing Trump's waning power and the increasingly likelihood that Democrats will not let them off the hook if and when they regain power in the federal government. Rob Flaherty and Jesse Lehrich, co-hosts of the "Nobody Knows Anything" show, join Jen Psaki to discuss. Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, talk with Jen Psaki about today's protest march and rally for voting rights in Washington, D.C. Jen Psaki shares reporting from NOTUS that Donald Trump is working to give a potentially very valuable part of Yosemite National Park to a private developer who has some interesting ties to the Trump administration. An exodus of employees from the FBI, either through mass firings or fleeing the disgrace of the Trump administration and Kash Patel has raised the level of desperation for new hires to such a level that personal histories, including criminal histories, that would have previously disqualified applicants are no longer an obstacle to being hired. Michael Feinberg, former assistant special agent in charge with the FBI, discusses with Jen Psaki. 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.

Jen Psaki peels through the layers of a scheme described by a Florida grand jury in which millions of dollars were laundered through charities and ultimately ended up funding political activities. And while the grand jury was not able to identify who to indict in the matter, the people involved, with close ties to outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, saw their careers advance. Former Rep. David Jolly, Democratic candidate for Florida governor, talks with Jen about the details of the scheme. Iowa State Rep. Josh Turek, Democratic candidate for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat, talks with Jen about a new lobbying scandal in Iowa that has involved his Republican opponent. Max Lederer and Erik Slavin, the fired publisher and editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, talk with Jen about their new legal effort to restore their jobs and preserve the newspaper's independence as Pete Hegseth's Pentagon seems intent on turning it into a propaganda outlet. Jen Psaki shares New York Times reporting on how Donald Trump Jr. throws his weight around as the son of a corrupt president to influence the legal circumstances of a company and an industry in which he has a financial interest. David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times crypto industry reporter, joins to discuss his reporting. 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.

Jen Psaki talks with David Plouffe, Barack Obama's 2008 campaign manager, about the balance of the congressional elections just a few months away from midterm elections, and the challenge Republicans face carrying the burden of Donald Trump's unpopularity when Trump's only campaign idea is to promote himself. Taken separately, Donald Trump's bad policies are problematic enough, his petulant tariffs, his foolhardy trade wars, his inexplicable war in Iran, his assault on immigrants, etc. But taken together they are a crippling burden hurting both supply and demand as well as resources and materials for operating farms and businesses. Jen Psaki discusses with Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democratic candidate for governor of Minnesota. Senator Mark Kelly joins to discuss the crisis Pete Hegseth has created in the American military. 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.

Jen Psaki relays breaking news that Darline Graham, sister of former Senator Lindsey Graham, is projected to win the South Carolina Republican primary for Seante, overcoming some embarrassing gaffes and apparently benefitting from a strong endorsement from Donald Trump. Tim Miller, host of the Bulwark podcast, and Jim Messina, former Obama campaign manager, talk about the stakes of the South Carolina Senate race, Trump's extraordinary effort to see his candidate to victory and whether Darline Graham is damaged enough as a candidate to be vulnerable to the very compelling Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. Jen Psaki talks with former Governor Roy Cooper, Democratic candidate for Senate from North Carolina about the contradiction in Donald Trump paying lip service to affordability while at the same time starting a trade war with Canada that will be a further burden on American consumers. 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.

Jen Psaki reports on the firing by Pete Hegseth's Pentagon of the editor-in-chief of the Stars and Stripes military newspaper, as well as one of its reporters, and considers the broader context of the Trump administration's attacks on the free press and Hegseth's particular battle against independent media. Erik Slavin, now former editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, and Lara Korte, former Middle East reporter for Stars and Stripes join to discuss with Jen Psaki. A report from the Center for American Progress shows that despite costing a huge amount of money and making huge human resource demands, Donald Trump's National Guard deployment to U.S. citites like Washington, D.C. has not done what Trump promised. Neera Tanden, president and C.E.O. of the Center for American Progress talks with Jen Psaki about the the evidence that Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to fight crime in U.S. cities has been a giant waste of taxpayer money that has not reduced the rate of violent crime in those cities. Rob Flaherty and Jesse Lehrich , co-hosts of the "Nobody Knows Anything” show, discuss the week's news in politics with Jen Psaki. 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.

Jen Psaki takes a closer look at the bizarre devotion Natalie Harp shows to Donald Trump and her reported behavior that is not at all normal for a presidential aide. And the similarly abnormal role of Jennifer Hegseth, Pete Hegseth's wife, former Fox News producer and awkward shadow in the Trump administration. Chris Meagher, former chief Pentagon spokesman, and Ned Price, former CIA spokesman, talk with Jen Psaki about the glaring security problems with Donald Trump's aide, Natalie Harp, and Pete Hegseth taking his wife to work with him, and how the relationships undermine the trust of our allies and hurt U.S. national security.   Abdul El-Sayed joins Jen to talk about his Senate race in Michigan and trying to get his Republican opponent to agree to a debate. Brandon Dukes, a Democrat who won a special election in Pennsylvania county that Donald Trump won by 18 points, talks with Jen about the keys to his successful campaign.  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.

Jen Psaki looks at the terrible performance of some of the candidates endorsed by Donald Trump, and the lack of help struggling Republicans candidates are getting from Trump, who may be too unpopular to help them even if he was inclined to do so. Maggie Haberman, White House correspondent for The New York Times and co-author of "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," and Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America, join to discuss Donald Trump's waning influence in the Republican Party and his fixation on vanity projects instead of midterm elections, as well as new MS NOW reporting on questions about Trump aide Natalie Harp's security clearance. Jen Psaki shares highlights from a weird, newly released reality-style show from Donald Trump's transportation secretary, former reality show performer and Fox host, Sean Duffy, featuring Duffy's family and products from the corporations that paid for the production. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost discusses his objections to a new crypto bill supported by Donald Trump. 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.

Jen Psaki looks at the collection of shameless and scandal-plagued MAGA candidates running in Florida Republican primary races that leave Trump-era Republican voters wanting for good choices. Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi and former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina talk with Jen Psaki about why the surprising results of the Florida primary elections point to strong Democratic momentum and a real opportunity for Florida Democratic candidates for the first time in over a decade. Newly nominated Democratic candidate for Senate, Angie Nixon, joins to discuss the key to her "stunning" success despite significantly smaller fundraising and a lower national profile compared to the opponent she defeated. Jim Acosta, former chief White House correspondent for CNN, joins to discuss ABC suing the Trump admnistration for its attempt to intimidate the network with threats. 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.

Jen Psaki considers Senator Jon Ossoff's charge that Donald Trump doesn't actually want to be president and would rather spend time with his sycophantic aides flying around on his fancy Qatari airplane, and posits that Trump's interest in only the most superficial aspects of the presidency makes his administration more akin to movie production than government. Senator Jon Ossoff talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to use his position at the top of the U.S. government to enrich himself and his family, and how the outrage over that open corruption is feeding Democratic enthusiasm for the coming midterm elections. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes joins to talk about defending Arizona elections from Donald Trump's interference.   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.

Donald Trump is trying to get around restrictions on the construction of his White House ballroom by arguing that the facility is a military necessity. But as Jen Psaki points out, it's hard to argue the national security purpose of covering everything in gold. Jen Psaki looks at how Donald Trump's incompetence and mismanagement of his war on Iran has not only wasted physical military resources but has been injurious to service members as well, to the point where family members are having to speak out publicly even as Trump and his sycophants continue to deny there's a problem. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor, joins to discuss Trump's disastrous handling of his war against Iran. Life in the Trump era keeps getting easier for criminal fraudsters. Former Rep. Tom Malinowski talks with Jen Psaki about how Donald Trump is steadily dismantling the tools for catching and prosecuting criminals, and why the news that Trump's Treasury Department will stop enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act is good news for money launderers and drug dealers.  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.

Jen Psaki criticizes the priorities of outgoing Donald Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt for avoiding good faith engagement with real reporters' questions while elevating Trump sycophants. Senator Mark Kelly talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump making extreme and expensive demands for changes to aircraft carriers without having any idea what he's actually talking about.  Jen Psaki shares reporting from the New York Times about hundreds of millions of dollars worth of planes purchased by the Department of Homeland Security that are sitting idle because DHS lacked the foresight to realize the cost of maintaining a fleet of airplanes. John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE, 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.

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and former White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby joins MS NOW's Jen Psaki to discuss Donald Trump's claims that the United States has “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz and new reporting for The Washington Post that the CIA questioned the credibility of Israeli intelligence about an Iranian threat to Trump that ultimately led to Trump's secret flight out of Turkey last month. MS NOW's Jen Psaki talks to MS NOW Senior Medical Analyst Dr. Vin Gupta about the dangers of Donald Trump's executive order rolling back federal childhood vaccine recommendations. 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.

Jen Psaki sets the record straight on extraordinary Democratic enthusiasm in this year's midterm elections, as evidenced by exceptional turnout in the primaries so far, and points out that despite the media's obsession with intra-party competition, Democrats are actually very unified with candidates in even the most contentious primaries supporting each other once the contest is over. And meanwhile, Donald Trump's distortion of the Republican Party is producing seriously flawed candidates. Senator Jon Ossoff points out that between regular leaks to the press and a White House full of advisors with self-interests and ambitions for 2028, it can hardly be surprising that details of secret protective measures surrounding the president are exposed to the public. Jen Psaki talks with David Crowley, the new Democratic nominee for governor of Wisconsin after defeating poll-favorite Francesca Hong. While Crowley's victory was a surprise based on polling, he was ready to win and discusses the keys to his success and his plan moving forward 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.

Jen Psaki and a panel of her MS NOW colleagues watch the primary election returns in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Connecticut and discuss the intra-party dynamics this primary season. 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.

Donald Trump appears to be distancing himself from his own Republican Party, perhaps hoping to avoid association with expected midterm losses, despite being responsible for the unpopularity Republicans are suffering for their association with him. Ben Wikler, former DNC chair, joins to discuss. How did a long-standing plan by the Department of the Interior to refurbish the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool turn into the mess that would become Donald Trump's highest profile public humiliation (so far)? David Fahrenthold, investigative reporter for the New York Times, talks about his reporting on how the project spun out of control in the most Trumpian ways. Donald Trump appears not to understand that the resources of the presidency are not his personal property, as his vanity projects are taking an ever-increasing amount of his attention. Now a federal appeals court has shut down construction on his White House ballroom with a reminder that he is not a king. Rep. Jamie Rasking joins to discuss. Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II talks about how Michigan Democrats are uniting after their contentious primary in which Abul El-Sayed emerged victorious.   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.

Donald Trump and his former cable news weekend co-host defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, are reportedly fighting over who is to blame for wasting U.S. military resources and depleting the U.S. weapons stockpile on Trump's inexplicable war on Iran. Hegseth reportedly blamed his deputy. Rep. Pat Ryan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, joins to discuss Trump's foolhardy prosecution of the war. Donald Trump's brazen corruption is so much a part of his political identity that it has become an election issue unto itself. And when Senator Tim Scott tries to gaslight the American public into believing Trump is a model of ethics, or when JD Vance tries to pretend prosecuting fraud is an important priority of his, Trump's corruption only makes them look ridiculous. Rep. Ro Khanna joins to discuss. Mitch Landrieu and Jennifer Palmieri discuss the shifting politics in the American South. Stacey Abrams joins to talk about resurrecting the protections of the Voting Rights Act. 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.

Donald Trump's disastrous time in office has left campaigning Republicans with very little to boast about to constituents back home. What they are left with instead is their familiar playbook of culture war scare tactics and divisive distortions to try to scare voters into supporting them. Senator Ted Cruz wasted no time to resort to absurd smears when asked about Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed. One of Donald Trump's endorsed Republican candidates lost the primary election to a guy who was so disfavored to win that news organizations didn't even bother to prepare his photo. But at least that candidate didn't have to drop out of the race in disgrace, which is more than can be said for other Republicans. Mother Jones has published body camera and interview footage from a child abuse investigation involving Rep. Max Miller. The footage was obtained via a public records request from the City of Bay Village in Ohio, where the investigation took place. Miller continues to deny the abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. The investigation ended with the allegations "unsubstantiated" by police. Michael Steele plays part of the clip obtained by Mother Jones, where a child protective specialist describes an injury his 2-year-old daughter sustained while in his care.   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.

Despite Donald Trump's endless talking about the vandalism he said was done to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Poll, U.S. attorney and former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro was forced to drop the Justice Department's case against former Olympian David Hearn and admit that the problem with the pool's liner was the fault of the contactor Donald Trump selected.   The Wall Street Journal reports that after receiving a gift of a massive ring covered in diamonds and other jewels, Donald Trump made an exception from his tariffs for the diamond industry. Rep. Greg Casar discusses how Donld Trump's corruption and self-dealing, especially in contrast with the higher prices Americans are struggling with, has become a key issue for Democrats to campaign on as midterm elections approach. Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket, joins to discuss Donald Trump's efforts to use voter data to undermine the upcoming midterm elections. Donald Trump is so bitter about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz that he rejects the suggestion that his inexplicable war with Iran has led to a hacking attack on the water systems of several U.S. states and instead bizarrely insists that Minnesota somehow hacked its own water system. Rep. Seth Moulton joins to discuss Trump's apparent inability to take U.S. national security seriously. Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins to talk about how Democrats are surging in Texas and the stakes of the Texas elections for national politics. 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.

Even as Americans are dealing with the fallout of Elon Musk's devastating cuts to the federal government when Donald Trump let him run amok, with new terrible consequences still coming to light on a regular basis, Musk is reportedly planning on trying to use his vast wealth to influence the midterm elections in favor of Republicans. Polls suggest his involvement may do Republicans more harm than good. Alex Isenstadt, senior political reporter for Axios, Norm Eisen, founder of Democracy Defenders Action, and Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha discuss the many advantages Democrats are pursuing in the midterm elections. Stacey Young, an 18-year Justice Department veteran, and Norm Eisen, founder of Democracy Defenders Action, discuss Donald Trump's effort to install his criminal defense attorney as U.S. attorney general. A new report from Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security Committee shows how Donald Trump's deep cuts to counterterrorism agencies and repurposing of law enforcement resources to investigate his political enemies, his personal conspiracy theories and political pet projects has undermined important counterterrorism measures put in place after 9/11. Former CIA director John Brennan joins to discuss. Whether because of bad advice, manipulation or foolhardiness, Donald Trump apparently thought his military adventure against Iran would be quick and easy, and now reports say he is in a frustrated rage over his own inability to escape the conflict as Americans grow increasingly bitter at the hardships Trump's folly has wrought. Admiral John Kirby, former White House national security communications advisor, joins to discuss the challenge Trump is facing. 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.

White voters without a college education have been a core component of Donald Trump's base and key to putting him in the White House. But a new poll from CNN shows that group now disapproves of Trump more than approves by 8 percentage points. One insight in the poll is that Americans by a wide margin thing Trump is focused on the wrong priorities. Jen Psaki takes a closer look. Jen Psaki reports on the postponement of a Senate committee vote on the nomination of Donald Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, to be attorney general. A vote was contingent on Blanche agreeing in writing to drop his pursuit of a settlement with the IRS to fund payouts to January 6 rioters. Trump was apparently not willing to allow Blanche to make that agreement. Senator Adam Schiff joins to discuss. Jen Psaki talks with Josh Turek, Democratic candidate for Senate from Iowa, in his first interview since being endorsed by former President Barack Obama. And Maine's Democratic nominee for Senate, Troy Jackson, also joins Jen in the studio. 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.

A mobile version of the Epstein files reading room in New York City, with millions of printed pages of notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's records, is set to go on tour, in part to highlight the mishandling of the files by Trump lawyer and attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche. Miles Taylor, former DHS chief of staff under Donald Trump, joins Jen Psaki to discuss the project. Senator John Cornyn was primaried out of his job by a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump, leaving him in the position of being a lame duck with an axe to grind. One way he is expressing his lack of charity for Trump is by insisting that Trump's lawyer-turned-attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, put into writing that Trump's corrupt slush fund for January 6 rioters and other political allies is totally off the table. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse talks with Jen Psaki about the opposition to Blanche in the Senate. Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Senate candidate, talks with Jen Psaki about he stakes in his race and what comes after Donald Trump.   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.

Jen Pskai anchors special coverage of the White House Correspondents' Dinner and talks with a panel of guests about the relationship between Donald Trump and the media. Jen Psaki reviews The first stretch of Donald Trump's meandering address to attendees of the White House Correspondents' Dinner and talks with Terry Moran, former senior national correspondent for ABC News, and Eugene Daniels, MS NOW's senior Washington correspondent, about the state of the political media and what is motivating Trump's participation in an event he has previously eschewed. Jen Psaki points out the awkwardness of the White House Correspondents' Association giving an award to the reporting team that withstood Donald Trump's rage and intimidation after reporting on a weird birthday greeting from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, while Trump sat on the dais in front of everyone and even shook the hands to the reporters. Rep. Ro Khanna joins to discuss the ongoing investigation in Epstein's crimes and associates.   Jen Psaki reports on the Trump administration's attempt to minimize the ultimate sacrifice made by four U.S. service members to Doanld Trump's war against Iran by removing them from the list of American casualties in the war. Barbara Starr, former CNN Pentagon correspondent, and retired United States Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling join to discuss the contentious relationship Trump's Pentagon has had with the media. 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.

Jen Psaki points out that it wouldn't be unreasonable for someone to hear the news that Trump suffered another "subpoena fail" and ask, which one? Most recently, Trump has tried to bully the New York Times after he was embarrassed by reports that his new Qatari jet was not properly outfitted. But as everyone by now has learned, pushback works, and the Times pushed back and Trump is left looking foolish again. Marty Baron, former executive editor of The Washington Post You may have anticipated that Donald Trump's peace "understanding" with Iran would fall apart and the war would flare back up and oil prices would surge again. But that isn't the whole story. Iran's widening attacks, Houthi attacks on Red Sea vessels, and Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and the ripple effects of that in neighboring countries has made things exponentially worse. And there has been no increase in Donald Trump's competence to deal with any of it. Amos Hochstein, former White House senior advisor, talks with Jen Psaki about how all of the gears are turning. Andrew Weissmann, former FBI general counsel, talks with Jen about the absurdity of the Jack Smith criminal referral. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez discusses the difficulty he is having getting the Justice Department to cooperate in his investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's New Mexico ranch. 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.