Jen Psaki trolled for throwing Biden 'under the bus' as she defends debate prep team from criticism
WASHINGTON, DC: Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary and now an MSNBC host, defended President Joe Biden's debate preparation team amidst criticism of his performance on Monday, July 1,
Psaki acknowledged that Biden's performance was "bad" but rejected the notion that his prep team was to blame.
Jen Psaki defends debate prep team
Following reports of Biden's family blaming his staff for his shaky debate performance, Psaki took to social media to express her views.
She wrote on X, "There are a lot of important discussions and debates about this political moment we are in and the path forward, but the notion that the issue at the debate was the prep process done by people like @RonaldKlain and Anita Dunn who have successfully prepped many candidates including Obama, Clinton, and Biden is absurd."
She continued, "It was a bad debate. I have no doubt they were tough, strategic, and direct. (Believe me, I have seen them in action) but prep does not always determine the outcome. Biden was bad. Important convos about what happens next. But if you are directing your ire at ‘prep’ you are not talking about the right things."
There are a lot of important discussions and debates about this political moment we are in and the path forward, but the notion that the issue at the debate was the prep process done by people like @RonaldKlain and Anita Dunn who have successfully prepped many candidates…
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) July 1, 2024
The family’s criticism specifically targeted senior adviser Anita Dunn, her husband and president's attorney Bob Bauer, and former chief of staff Ron Klain.
According to Politico, the family complained that Biden was not "prepared to pivot more to go on the attack; that he was bogged down too much on defending his record rather than outlining a vision for a second term; and that he was over-worked and not well-rested."
They also questioned why Klain allowed Biden to be overloaded with statistics and noted that Biden went to the debate with a summer tan but had makeup on during the debate that made him look pale, per the New York Times.
Despite Psaki's defense, other Biden supporters also criticized his prep team. John Morgan, a top Democratic donor close to President Biden’s brother, Frank, publicly blamed the advisers for the poor debate performance.
Morgan stated on X, "Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go… TODAY. The grifting is gross. It was political malpractice."
Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go… TODAY
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) June 30, 2024
The grifting is gross. It was political malpractice.
Cc/ @JoeNBC @maggieNYT @Messina2012 @katierogers
He added to the Times, "It would be like if you took a prizefighter who was going to have a title fight and put him in a sauna for 15 hours then said, ‘Go fight.’ I believe that the debate is solely on Ron Klain, Bob Bauer, and Anita Dunn."
In response to the criticism, Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz defended the advisers, stating to Politico and Fox News, "The aides who prepped the President have been with him for years, often decades, seeing him through victories and challenges. He maintains strong confidence in them."
Additionally, a senior Biden aide told Fox News that the claims of frustration within the campaign were "not true."
Jen Psaki's comments raise eyebrows on social media
Psaki's comments made waves on social media, with quite a few users expressing surprise at her straightforwardness.
"Even Ginger Psaki says it was Biden's fault...wow. That's a long way for her to come," one posted on X.
"Oh now she starts telling the truth," another wrote.
"Everybody is at fault except Joe & Jill!" a comment read
"Throwing your former boss under the bus," someone else added.
"Jen Psaki is playing with fire. She can be fired just as easily as she was hired at MSNBC," another chimed in.
Even Ginger Psaki says it was Biden's fault...wow. That's a long way for her to come.
— NOT Jim :-) (@JeRrE1776) July 2, 2024
Jen Psaki is playing with fire. She can be fired just as easily as she was hired at MSNBC.
— lateblum🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@lateblum) July 2, 2024
Biden's debate performance drew widespread criticism from top Democrats and media commentators, with many calling for him to withdraw from the race. Among them, comedian Bill Maher suggested that Biden step aside for another candidate to take on former President Donald Trump.
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