New York, N.Y. — Controversy ignited on social media following comments made by MSNBC host Jen Psaki about Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, during her appearance on the podcast “I’ve Had It.” Psaki, a former White House press secretary, suggested that Usha Vance might need help in her marriage, labeling her husband as more concerning than former President Donald Trump.
In a discussion with podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, Psaki described Vance, 41, as a “little Manchurian candidate,” implying that the vice president’s political ambitions overshadow his character. She characterized him as a chameleon, claiming he adapts to different audiences, making him particularly dangerous in the political arena.
Psaki’s comments about Usha Vance included a provocative suggestion that she might need a signal for assistance, a remark that intensified backlash on various platforms. The podcast’s episode description further underscored this sentiment, advocating that Usha blink twice if she was in trouble.
The response from conservative media was swift and fierce. Hosts on “Fox & Friends” condemned Psaki’s remarks as disturbing and disrespectful. Co-host Lawrence Jones called for an apology, expressing disbelief at the nature of the comments. Fellow host Brian Kilmeade noted that viewers should not expect a retraction from Psaki, referencing his own recent apologies for past inflammatory remarks.
Joe Concha, a Fox News contributor, labeled Psaki’s comments as slander, accusing her of resorting to personal attacks instead of engaging in policy discussions. He criticized her approach to political discourse, referring to her as “Peppermint Patty” and bemoaning the current state of political conversations, which he believes are increasingly characterized by personal insults rather than substantive discussions.
Right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt weighed in, suggesting that Psaki felt emboldened to make such remarks due to the podcast’s appeal to left-leaning audiences. He argued that her comments reflected a broader lack of ideas on the left, emphasizing a tendency to resort to name-calling rather than constructive dialogue. Hewitt also speculated that her appearance served as self-promotion during MSNBC’s transition to a new brand.
The critique extended to White House communications director Steven Cheung, who accused Psaki of projecting her personal issues onto others. Social media reactions flooded in, with many users denouncing her comments as offensive, particularly towards women involved in difficult marriages.
As the controversy unfolded, Vice President Vance addressed the situation during a return flight from Israel on October 23. Accompanied by his wife, he called Psaki’s remarks disgraceful but emphasized that Usha could speak for herself. Vance expressed pride in his marriage, stating his hope that his wife shares his sentiments and reaffirming their commitment to serving the country together.
This incident is not the first exchange between Psaki and Vance. Earlier this year, Psaki questioned the value of prayer following a tragic shooting in Minneapolis, which Vance described as a bizarre example of the “weird left-wing culture wars.” Their exchanges have reignited discussions around the appropriateness of targeting the spouses of public figures in political rhetoric, with critics highlighting the inconsistency of such remarks with established feminist principles that support women’s autonomy in personal decisions.