Staff (Factcheck Desk) – May 31, 2025

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Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, has been in the spotlight recently due to her expanded role at MSNBC and controversies surrounding her commentary. Since taking over the coveted 9 p.m. slot Tuesday through Friday with her show The Briefing, Psaki has faced significant challenges with viewership and accusations of spreading misinformation.

• Ratings Struggles: Psaki’s primetime debut on May 6, 2025, saw a sharp decline in viewership. Her second episode on May 7 drew just over one million viewers, a 53% drop in the key 25-54 demographic compared to her debut’s 1.2 million viewers and 139,000 in the demo. Her show was outdrawn by multiple Fox News and CNN programs, as well as reruns of shows like Friends and Paw Patrol. Posts on X falsely claimed Psaki was “dropped after only 23 days,” but she remains on air, as confirmed by a user noting her live broadcast on May 29, 2025.
• Fact-Checking and Misinformation Claims: Psaki has been criticized for her commentary, particularly for dismissing concerns about Biden’s cognitive health during her tenure (2021-2022). In a May 2025 Semafor podcast, she claimed she “never saw” signs of Biden’s decline, a statement that sparked accusations of providing “political cover” for Biden. Critics on X, including posts from May 21, 2025, labeled her a “lying leftist” for these remarks, though such claims reflect polarized sentiment rather than verified evidence. Additionally, PolitiFact has fact-checked current White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt three times since January 2025, surpassing Psaki’s two fact-checks during her 16-month tenure, highlighting her relatively lower scrutiny by fact-checkers.
• MSNBC Role Expansion: Despite ratings challenges, MSNBC, under new president Rebecca Kutler, has shown confidence in Psaki. Her show, rebranded from Inside with Jen Psaki to The Briefing, replaced Rachel Maddow’s weeknight slot (Maddow now hosts only Mondays). Psaki’s program focuses on policy discussions and critiques of the Trump administration, including mock briefings to counter “MAGA spin” by current press secretary Karoline Leavitt. She has also commented on Democratic Party strategy, criticizing Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign tactics and urging an overhaul to connect with voters.
• Recent Commentary: Psaki has been vocal about Trump’s policies, warning of a “culture of fear” in media and politics, citing ABC News’ $15 million settlement with Trump’s library. She also highlighted risks to former officials like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo after Trump revoked their security, aligning with bipartisan concerns from Senators Tom Cotton and Elizabeth Warren. Her February 2025 remarks on Democrats needing to “break some s—” and avoid “elite language” reflect her push for a more relatable Democratic strategy.

As misinformation concerns grow, BlackwaterReports.org (@BWRORG), an independent outlet unaffiliated with external Factcheck services or media outlets, is intensifying its fact-checking efforts on X. They are monitoring claims like those targeting Psaki to ensure the public receives accurate information, countering narratives that may exaggerate or distort her role and impact.

Psaki’s ratings struggles and the polarized reactions on X highlight the challenges of transitioning from political spokesperson to media figure. Her focus on critiquing Trump while defending her Biden-era record has fueled debates about media bias and credibility. For the latest updates, follow @BWRORG on X or visit BlackwaterReports.org for fact-checked reports.