Former White House Press Secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki has ignited a firestorm of controversy following her appearance on the "I’ve Had It" podcast this past Tuesday. During the discussion, Psaki referred to Vice President JD Vance as "the little Manchurian candidate," hinting at strong presidential ambitions and making comments about his marriage that have been widely criticized.
Psaki's remarks did not stop at political commentary. She took a personal jab at Vance's family life, saying, "I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. We’ll come over here. We’ll save you." These comments have since been condemned as inappropriate and insensitive by conservative commentators and a swath of social media users. Her characterization of Vance as someone "willing to do anything" to achieve his goals and "scarier in certain ways" than former President Donald Trump has added fuel to the fire.
The backlash was swift and fierce, with the podcast episode's description echoing Psaki's controversial joke, stating, "Usha Vance, please blink twice if you need help." This amplification led to a widespread reaction across platforms, where multiple users expressed their disapproval, describing her statements as "disgusting" and "vile."
Fox News contributor Joe Concha succinctly expressed his disapproval, stating, "Not a good person. At all." The Libs of TikTok account posted a lengthy criticism, calling Psaki "unhinged" and questioning MSNBC's decision to employ her. Townhall.com writer Amy Curtis defended Usha Vance's marriage, highlighting that the remarks trivialized real domestic issues and insulted women in difficult marital situations.
The White House did not remain silent on the matter. White House director of communications Steven Cheung delivered a scathing rebuke, suggesting Psaki was projecting her personal issues onto others and criticizing her for spreading falsehoods.
As the controversy unfolded, it was noted that Usha Vance was accompanying her husband in Israel, working on the Gaza Peace Deal, which added another layer of complexity to the public's response to Psaki's comments.
This incident is not Psaki's first brush with controversy. In August, following a deadly school shooting in Minneapolis, she made headlines with her critical remarks on the efficacy of prayers in preventing such tragedies, which sparked debate and backlash at the time.
