MSNBC host Jen Psaki slams Democrats' media strategy in Trump's second term: 'Rip the talking points up'

WASHINHTON, DC: MSNBC host and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has issued a blunt critique of the Democratic Party's media strategy during President Donald Trump's second term, calling their approach to pivoting to pre-scripted talking points "the worst media training advice."

Speaking on The Bulwark’s 'The Focus Group' podcast on March 20, Psaki didn’t hold back in her assessment of Democratic messaging, Fox News reported.

Jen Psaki slams common media training advice

"The worst, worst media training advice… people give is 'answer the question you want to answer,'" she said on the podcast.

"That is the freaking worst advice, especially for this moment in time."

She argued that dodging direct questions in favor of rehearsed talking points only alienates voters.

"Because, you know what? Who cares if it's you interviewing the person or me interviewing the person? Doesn't matter to us," she said.

She continued, "People sitting at home, if you ask them, or I ask them, 'Hey, what do you think should be done about Elon Musk?' And their answer is, 'We're gonna build roads and bridges and defend the Affordable Care Act.' People at home are like, 'What in the hell?' Right? It's almost disrespectful to them."

Jen Psaki urges Democrats to ditch scripted responses

Psaki urged Democrats to abandon their reliance on scripted responses and instead adopt a more genuine and direct communication style.

"Rip the talking points up," she said.

"Decide what you think authentically. You're going to piss people off out there. Guess who pissed people off a lot when I was there? Barack Obama. He’s not perfect either. I’m not saying that. But piss people off, it’s fine."

She also encouraged Democrats to embrace their individuality and let their personalities shine.

"Let the quirky flags fly," she advised, suggesting that politicians should remind voters they are "human beings who are interesting and funny and quirky and sporty."

Jen Psaki calls out Democrats’ 'elitist language'

This is not the first time Psaki has taken the Democratic Party to task for failing to connect with voters.

Last month, while appearing on comedian Jon Stewart's 'The Weekly Show' podcast, she criticized the party’s tendency to use elitist language, arguing that Democrats should "cross authoritarianism and oligarchy out of every script. Nobody talks this way."

Her comments come at a particularly troubling time for Democrats, as recent polling data paints a grim picture of public sentiment.

According to CNN and NBC News polls conducted earlier this month, the Democratic Party’s approval ratings have hit record lows.

Only 29% of respondents in CNN’s poll and 27% in NBC’s survey had a favorable view of the party, the lowest numbers recorded in over 30 years, per CNN.