Inside with Jen Psaki

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.

Jen Psaki reports breaking news that Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee has referred former special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. Ken Dilanian, MS NOW justice and intel correspondent, joins to explain why the accusation against Smith "doesn't pass the laugh test." Jen Psaki shows that Donald Trump's spin on his stalled war with Iran is not convincing Americans that it was a good idea, with anecdotes, interviews and polls showing that even supporters who voted for him three times are turning away from him. Senator Jon Ossoff joins to discuss the gap between Donald Trump's Iran war narrative and the reality Americans can see and are experiencing first hand. Rep. LaMonica McIver talks with Jen about holding ICE agents accountable for the abuses they commit in pursuit of Donald Trump's anti-immigrant agenda. 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 runs through a litany of Republican candidates this election cycle whose gross behavior, from being sexually inappropriate to allegations of domestic violence have not been meaningful enough to the party to force them out of the race the way Democrats have done with compromised candidate. Jim Messina, former Obama campaign manager, and Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha join to discuss what counts as Republican principles in the age of Trump. Jim Messina, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, points out that after "cost of living," the number two priority for American voters nationally is "corruption," which is bad news for Donald Trump, with whom corruption has become synonymous. With tens of billions of dollars already spent on Donald Trump's war of choice against Iran and no clear exit or end game in sight, and the Pentagon running out of money and depleting weaponry at a rapid pace, Donald Trump's secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, asked Senators for more money at a hearing of the Appropriations Committee. Senator Gary Peters talks with Jen Psaki about his frustrations with the Trump administration's aimless war and the failure of the war's leadership to form a plan and execute it successfully. Senator Cory Booker talks with Jen about holding Trump attorney general nominee Todd Blanche accountable for his weirdly accommodating treatment of Jeffrey Epstein sidekick Ghislaine Maxwell. 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.

Senator Mark Kelly talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's deeply unpopular war against Iran and the effort the Trump administration is putting into covering up and spinning the truth even though the war and its effects are apparent to any American paying attention. Terry Moran, former ABC News anchor, talks with Jen about Donald Trump's war on the media and a new low in his intimidation tactics. Donald Trump's evasion and inaction on accountability for ICE abuses, including shooting Americans dead in the street, is only making Americans more angry and less patient. Senator Amy Klobuchar 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 looks at how Donald Trump's big speech on election security did not get much media attention, even from his most supporting outlets. And the documents he dramatically unveiled were either not new, had already been debunked, or completely contradicted the threat narrative he was trying to stoke. And of course, while some documents contradicted his conspiracy theories about China, others affirmed that he was supported by Russia.  Gabriel Sterling, special projects manager at the Georgia Secretary of State's office, talks with Jen Psaki about lessons learned from Donald Trump's behavior in the wake of his 2020 election loss. Shortly after Donald Trump's teleprompter operator got in trouble for exploiting his White House position to make money in prediction markets, Americans learned of an even crazier scheme from Trump himself: selling early access to his public statements to financial firms that want an advantage in making stock trades based on how Trump's statements might influence the market. Rep. Jamie Raskin shares his reaction to this and Trump's election speech flop. Former Homeland Security secretary, Jeh Johnson, talks about the scare tactics Donald Trump's DHS secretary, Markwayne Mullin, is trying to use on election workers in the U.S. Suzanne Lambert, host of the "Mean But True" podcast, joins Jen to discuss the race for Senate in Georgia. 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 Michael Feinberg, former assistant special agent in charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ken Dilanian, MS NOW justice and intelligence correspondent, and her fellow MS NOW host Chris Hayes about the facts and context behind Donald Trump's criticisms of U.S. election security.  David Rohde, MS NOW senior national security reporter, talks with Jen Psaki about the former federal officials he is in contact with who recognize many of the documents Donald Trump is releasing, and are critical of Trump for excluding information and context that doesn't fit the narrative he is trying to construct about flaws in the U.S. election system. Senator Raphael Warnock calls Donald Trump a "desperate man" and a "failed president," and points out that while Trump puts on a performance to undermine confidence in the U.S. election system, Americans are struggling with the challenges of life in his economy. Warnock says he knows there are Republicans who realize Donald Trump isn't telling the truth, and calls on them to see past partisanship and speak out against Trump in the name of patriotism.  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 shows the inherent conflict of trying to stay in Donald Trump's good graces while also showing a panel of Senators that your are honest and forthright and will act in the interest of the American people. Jay Claton, Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, and Todd Blanche, Trump's criminal defense attorney and nominee for Attorney General, both struggled through awkward Senate confirmation hearings in which the things they couldn't say spoke volumes about how (and who) they'll serve if they're confirmed. Senator Adam Schiff talks with Jen Psaki about why Donald Trump's former criminal defense attorney has not been convincing in confirmation hearings to be attorney general that he is not still in service to Donald Trump and can perform in the role of leader of the Justice Department in a way that serves the American people.  MS NOW's David Rohde and former CIA Director John Brennan talk with Jen about expectations for Donald Trump's Thursday address to the nation and the election conspiracy theories that still consume his thoughts. Devon Murphy-Anderson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, discusses the party's plans for replacing Graham Platner on the ballot in the race against Susan Collins for Senate, and how the recent deadly ICE shooting in Maine has added fuel to already motivated Democratic 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.

Senator Jon Ossoff revealed to reporters that his Republican colleagues are privately blaming Donald Trump for setting them up for disastrous results in this year's midterm elections. Jen Psaki looks at the unpopular failures, from the war on Iran to ICE agents run amok that are contributing to this political dynamic. Senator Ossoff joins Jen to talk about Donald Trump's efforts to undermine Americans' faith in the U.S. voting system. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg talks with Jen Psaki about why the post-Trump era will not only be a time of repairing the damage Donald Trump inflicted on the United States, but also an opportunity to build the country back in new, better ways.  Brian Tyler Cohen, joins to discuss his new book, "The Day After: How to wield power in a post-Trump world." 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 actor, producer, writer Billy Eichner, host of the acclaimed "Billy on the Street," about how humor can sustain us during difficult times, and Eichner's new audio book, “Billy on Billy: An Audio Memoir.”  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 why Donald Trump is likely regretting staffing his administration based on culture war credibility rather than competence as FBI director Kash Patel's antics appear to have reached critical mass, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is spending energy being upset about beards while being unable to end the war with Iran, and Vice President JD Vance is buying himself a multi-million dollar estate in the midst of a political season in which "affordability" is the biggest theme. Rob Flaherty, former deputy campaign manager for Kamala Harris, and Democratic pollster Molly Murphy discuss the dynamics of the coming midterms. Jen Psaki rounds up the many ways that Donald Trump is using whatever lever of power he can find to undermine the integrity of elections in the United States, most recently by firing everyone on the Election Assistance Commission. Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket explains what Trump is trying to pull. Donald Trump appears to be trying to distract from his failure to keep his promise to lower gas prices by celebrating the opening of a small chain of discount gas stations. And while everyone appreciates cheaper gas when they can get it, no one trusts that whoever is behind this stunt doesn't have an ulterior motive that ties to another Trump grift. Rep. Christian Menefee joins to discuss the fight to get answers after ICE shot and killed a man in Houston. 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.

Maggie Haberman, White House correspondent for the New York Times and co-author of "Regime Change," shares some of the inside perspective she has gleaned from her reporting, including Donald Trump's fixation on his own power and how the war he started with Iran has shown him the limits of that power. As a new Washington Post report finds Donald Trump's vanity projects consuming an ever-increasing amount of his attention even as crises at home and abroad would seem to require more of a president's attention, passengers at the Palm Beach Airport did not seem to have their appreciation for Trump improved at all by the airport now being named after him. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes talks with Jen Psaki about what it means for the upcoming midterm election and U.S. elections broadly that Donald Trump has fired the last members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Committee, an important resource for elections administration.  Juan Proaño, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens, talks with Jen Psaki about the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo seeking justice for his killing at the hands of ICE. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows joins to discuss her run for the Democratic nomination to run for Senate in the wake of the implosion of Graham Platner's 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 rounds up what has been a terrible day for Donald Trump, with a string of court losses and a humiliating collection of mental lapses while speaking in public at the NATO gathering in Turkey. Jen Psaki reports on the collapse of Graham Platner's campaign for senator from Maine after another sexual assault allegation became too much for his campaign to bear. Molly Jong-Fast, host of the Fast Politics podcast, joins to discuss Platner's attitude and the considerations the state Democratic Party is going to have to make in replacing him.   Miles Taylor, former chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security, joins to discuss using the withholding of federal counterrorism money to manipulate states into giving him their voter rolls.   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.

Texas Attorney General and Republican candidate for Senate, Ken Paxton's marriage fell apart two years ago when his wife accused him of having an affair and she moved out of the house they shared. According to new reporting from the Texas Tribune and ProPublica, the address of that house is still on Paxton's voting registration even though he hasn't lived there for years and does not appear to be going back. Zach Despart, Texas Tribune investigative reporter, talks with Jen Psaki about why Paxton may have committed voter fraud, and why that would be an especially rich irony. Graham Platner's time as Maine Democrats' candidate for Senate appears to be about to end, with another brutal round of reports of sexual impropriety. But Platner has been underperforming as a candidate anyway, so replacing him may be to Democrats' advantage if they can pick a good candidate. But how do they choose a new candidate in the short time they have, and straddle the requirements of mainstream Democratic politics while incorporating the renegade, grassroots spirit that has become a hallmark for a party in transition. Jim Messina, campaign manager for former President Barack Obama, and Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, talk with Jen Psaki about how the Democratic Party should navigate a potential Platner exit. Rep. Debbie Dingell joins to discuss the contentious Democratic primary in Michigan.   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 special celebration of America's 250th anniversary with Rachel Maddow, Jen Psaki, and Ali Velshi from MS NOW's live community event in Philadelphia. In this hour, Rachel Maddow interviews civil rights legal stalwart Sherrilyn Ifill, and the panel takes questions from the live audience. 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 special celebration of America's 250th anniversary with Rachel Maddow, Jen Psaki, and Ali Velshi from MS NOW's live community event in Philadelphia. In this hour Ali Velshi presents his acclaimed retracing of 250 years of American history. And Jen Psaki interviews Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. 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.

Eric Lipton, New York Times investigative reporter, talks with Jen Psaki about the unprecedented amounts of money Donald Trump and his family is making while he is in office, and Trump's shamelessness about the conflicts of interest earning huge windfalls for his sons. Joyce Vance and Janai Nelson discuss how far the Supreme Court has strayed from the Constitution and American principles. Rep. Chris Pappas discusses his race for Senate in New Hampshire and the possibility of Democrats achieving a majority in the Senate in this year's elections. Beau Bayh discusses his candidacy to be Indiana's secreatry of state and the threat Donald Trump poses to free and fair 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.

Vaughn Hillyard, Eugene Daniels, and Scott MacFarlane talk with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump appointing a hatchet man to run amok in the U.S. intelligence community, making cuts based on “deep state” paranoid conspiracy theories. Rep. Ro Khanna joins the discuss the rise of progressive politics within the Democratic Party. Liz Oyer, former Justice Department pardon attorney, discusses Donald Trump's reported plans to issue a mass pardon of 250 people, and the dubious choices he makes in who receives those pardons. Dr. Annie Andrews joins to discuss her race for Senate against Linsey Graham and why she has best shot in years of putting him out. 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 makes the case that Donald Trump's failed "state fair" and his other calamitous projects at the seat of American government is an encapsulation of his entire presidency, from overblown vanity projects to sketchy budgets to utter incompetence to weaponizing his Justice Department to help feed his cover story. Jonathan Swan, reporter for the New York Times and co-author of "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's declaration that he intends to pardon everyone in his circle, and how that knowledge emboldens his staff to act without fear of any consequence. Andrew Weissmann, former FBI general counsel, talks with Jen Psaki about former special counsel Jack Smith's extended interview on MS NOW earlier today. 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 dubious timing and thin excuses for the billions of dollars financial disclosure forms show Donald Trump made when he returned to the White House. After financial disclosure forms show Donald Trump taking in billions of dollars while president, Rep. Robert Garcia talks with Jen Psaki about the accountability Democrats intend to bring to the Trump family and his administration if they take back the House in November. Norm Eisen, founder of Democracy Defenders Action, talks with Jen Psaki about why Donald Trump's is the most corrupt administration in American history. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper talks with Jen Psaki about his campaign for Senate and the issues voters are telling him matter most. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weisner discusses his campaign for governor and fighting Donald Trump in court. 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.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talks with Jen Psaki about the significance of primary victories by Democratic Socialist congressional candidates in New York City and why sitting Democrats would be smart to meet these new potential members as colleagues and not buy into the fear-mongering frenzy the right-wing is stirring up. JD Vance tried to downplay the significance of the Watergate scandal by declaring that it would be merely a 12-hour scandal today. What he didn't say but what everyone heard is that the reason Watergate would be a smaller story today is that Donald Trump produces scandals bigger than that at a rate faster than the news media can report. Jen Psaki gets reaction from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  The same vanity that is making a priority of Donald Trump's pet projects maybe also be their undoing, at least in the case of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool project. New reporting from the New York Times suggests that part of the reason for the out-of-control algae bloom in the pool is that devices meant to treat the water were removed at the same time that Donald Trump wanted to make a pretty spectacle of his UFC birthday celebration of himself. David Fahrenthold, investigative reporter for the New York Times, talks with Jen Psaki about his new reporting and the emerging pattern among projects Trump pushes with no-bid contracts. "The things Trump wants done the most are often the things that are done the least well." 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.

After years of political party power players like Senator Mitch McConnell trying to take control of national party purse strings to which candidates to help and how to shape the party, all it took was one ruling by the Supreme Court to change the way campaign politics is funded. Jen Psaki talks with Jim Messina, former campaign manager for President Barack Obama about how the Supreme Court's ruling changes the game in terms of how political donations are spent. Donald Trump has had a long-time fixation on the political power of demagoguing around restricting citizenship and who can be called a citizen of the United States. And despite the plain language of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, Trump is not alone on the radical right in wanting to expunge birthright citizenship as an American right. Rep. Jamie Raskin and general counsel for the NAACP, Kristen Clarke, talk with Jen Psaki about creeping right-wing tide against birthright citizenship and the significance that today's Supreme Court ruling was too close for comfort. Rep. Jason Crow talks with Jen about the eyebrow-raising results coming out of tonight's Colorado primaries.  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.

Michael Steele shares a jaw-dropping exchange between Senator Gary Peters and Postmaster General David Steiner in which Steiner admits that a new proposed Trump administration rule would withhold mail ballots from states that do not comply with Trump's voter database demands. Senate Peters joins to discuss. Mychael Schnell, MS Now congressional reporter, and Scott MacFarlane, chief Washington correspondent for MeidasTouch, discuss Donald Trump making enemies in his own party. Kristen Clarke, former assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice, talks with Michael Steele about how the lop-sided Supreme Court is hollowing out civil rights under the Constitution and what reforms need to be made when power changes hands in Washington. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joins to discuss his race for governor and the issues voters are telling him need to be addressed. And Adm. John Kirby discusses Donald Trump's Iran mess and how Iran is playing the upper hand in its victory over 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 how Donald Trump failed at what should have been the easiest assignment of his presidency, celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. And Trump even managed to blow up the signing ceremony for what should have been a no-brainer, bipartisan, American-helping housing bill. But it was in his unhinged tweets that it became clear what was really on his mind. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries discusses last night's primary elections, including the races in New York in which candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated candidates backed by Jeffries. Jen Psaki explains the difference between the America 250 planning to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, and "Freedom 250," which is Donald Trump's vehicle to make America's 250th birthday about himself at to his own benefit. Senator Jon Ossoff joins to discuss how self-dealing corruption has become a hallmark of Donald Trump's presidency. Senator Elizabeth Warren talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's refusal to sign a bipartisan housing bill that will help Americans struggling with the high cost of living in Trump's economy. 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 Senator Raphael Warnock about how voters in Georgia are standing up against Republican redistricting and Donald Trump's immigrant prison camp plans as Americans are increasingly aware that the only way to stop Trump is to stand up to him. Nancy Lacore was serving as a vice admiral in the U.S. Navy when she was fired as part of former weekend cable news host Pete Hegseth's anti-diversity purge of military leadership. But now Lacore is a promising new candidate for Congress, winning the Democratic primary runoff for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District while on the air with Jen Psaki, and with control of the House in the balance, Trump may regret Hegseth's crusade. MS NOW's Ali Velshi reports from the big board as primary election returns come in. Lis Smith, former deputy campaign manager for Martin O'Malley, and Morris Katz, Morris Katz, Democratic strategist on the Mamdani and Platner campaigns, discuss the dynamics within the Democratic Party as more liberal candidates win primaries and Trump's unpopularity drives moderate Republicans into an ever-growing tent.   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.

MS NOW's Michele Norris interviews former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama about their time in the White House and 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.

MS NOW's Michele Norris interviews former President Barack Obama about his time in office and the opening of his new 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.

Jen Psaki talks with former speech writers for President Barack Obama, Jon Favreau and Cody Keenan, about the significance of the Obama Presidential Center and how the messaging of hope and hard work contrasts with the bleak mood as Americans endure Donald Trump's corruption and mismanagement. Former President Barack Obama, in his remarks upon the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, tells the story of the origin of the now-famous quote, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice," from 19th-century abolitionist pastor Theodore Parker. Reggie Love, former personal assistant to President Obama, talks about the team of people who worked in the Obama adminiatration.  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.

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.

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.

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.