Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, now an MSNBC host, faced intense scrutiny after a heated exchange with conservative commentator Benny Johnson. During a segment of her show “The Briefing” on August 13, 2025, Johnson’s questions about crime in Washington, D.C., seemed to hit a nerve with Psaki, triggering what many observers called a “total meltdown.”
The tension escalated when Johnson, known for his humor, referenced Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a young man assaulted near the White House. Johnson’s first question pointedly remarked on political figures like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton criticizing President Biden for deploying the National Guard in D.C. Johnson asked, “I’d like to get your response,” implying that the deployment overshadowed the crime issue.
Psaki’s reaction was swift and dismissive. She began by sarcastically acknowledging Johnson’s reputation, stating, “Well, Benny, I have to hand it to you that didn’t disappoint with the insanity of that question.” This indicated her unwillingness to engage with his arguments seriously. She continued by arguing that the deployment was not about crime control but rather “about changing the subject.”
Johnson’s follow-up question regarding a possible Presidential Medal of Freedom for Coristine further agitated Psaki. She expressed disbelief that the matter had reached her show’s platform, stating, “As for big balls, which I can’t believe we have to say on the TV show… what happened to him was horrible.” Despite her sympathy for Coristine’s situation, she dismissed the idea of him receiving the Medal due to his young age and lack of a distinguished career.
Johnson took to social media following the encounter, highlighting Psaki’s emotional response. He proclaimed, “Jen Psaki just had a total meltdown LIVE On-Air at MSNBC,” adding fuel to the fire as observers debated the effectiveness of Psaki’s arguments amidst her agitation.
This incident raises questions about the pressures of the media landscape and the dynamics of political discourse in an increasingly polarized environment. Psaki’s flustered response illustrates her struggle to maintain composure when confronted with pointed questions, reflecting broader tensions between mainstream media and conservative commentary.
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