Jen Psaki’s jump from the White House to MSNBC primetime has turned disastrous, with Psaki’s ratings plunging 44% and failing to challenge Fox News. Her new program, The Briefing, drew just 1.1 million viewers from its May debut through July 3—down from the 1.8 million Rachel Maddow and Alex Wagner previously averaged. Meanwhile, Sean Hannity pulled in 2.9 million during the same timeslot.
Plummeting in the key 25–54 demographic, The Briefing averaged a mere 90,000 viewers—well behind Hannity’s 344,000 and Kaitlan Collins’s 108,000. MSNBC already faced declining numbers amid accusations of liberal bias and parent Comcast has reportedly distanced itself from the struggling network. Psaki’s performance only deepens that crisis.
Critics argue Psaki’s move from press secretary to strategy guide was a flawed play. Her coverage during Biden’s tenure, accused of masking his mental decline, now haunts her. Without the White House platform, her appeal falls flat. Viewers tuned out. Advertisers are wary.
Conservative analysts say MSNBC’s pivot to Psaki underscores a broader left-wing media disconnect from mainstream audiences. The Briefing may outpace CNN’s The Source, but it remains firmly behind Fox in both viewers and influence.
