The former White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, thinks President Biden's campaign faces a big challenge in dealing with former President Trump's legal problems.
Psaki mentioned that it's difficult for the Biden campaign because their opponent is facing criminal charges in court.
Trump faces Trump is facing 88 criminal charges in four indictments and is currently on trial in New York for alleged hush money payments.
Psaki stated that the New York case against Trump is unprecedented and gets a lot of attention, which is a problem for Biden's campaign.
Psaki mentioned that the Trump case overshadows other news and issues, making it challenging for the Biden campaign to get attention on other topics.
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There was also a time, when she had a young child at home, she didn’t have a chance to search anything about her tablemates at a White House state dinner.
“I sat down and I started talking to this very nice man” who said he spends “a lot of time in the studio,” Psaki, 45, remembered with a laugh.
“Is he a painter? Is he a sculptor? I don’t know,” said Psaki. It turned out that the guest was Chance the Rapper, a “very famous artist and one of President Obama’s favorites.”
“That was part of my lesson of spending a little time doing research, even 10 to 15 minutes, will help you out.”
Some other communication advice she offered was emphasizing the importance of connecting with people who disagree with you, not feeling the need to be the loudest in the room and being an active listener – all tips which seem to be completely at odds with Trump’s way of getting out his message.
Psaki said what’s effective about Trump’s communications approach is that “it’s simple and it’s consistent.”
“It’s dark and negative, and I think it’s dangerous because it taps into how he presents himself as the aggrieved and everybody else is aggrieved, too. And it’s prompted violence, and threats and things along those lines. But it’s effective because it’s tapping into a feeling people have.”
If Trump wins the election in November, what advice would Psaki give his future White House press secretary?
“Oh God, why would anyone want that job?” she exclaimed.
“I would say remember that when you leave the White House, you’re the one responsible for your own reputation, so don’t say anything you don’t think is true,” Psaki said.
“Don’t lie on behalf of your boss, even if they ask you to. And if you disagree and feel outraged by what they’re saying, you can leave the White House. So empower yourself.”
Even though Psaki said she loved her job at the White House, she relishes her MSNBC role, and wouldn’t make a return to her old stomping grounds if her ex-boss wins a second term.
While noting that most people find it “weird” for her to say, she thoroughly enjoyed her time behind the podium in the press briefing room.
“I loved doing the briefing – even days where it was tough, where people were tough on me or it was combative – in part because it’s a pretty cool thing doesn’t happen in most countries. But also because it forces you to be as knowledgeable as you can and be able to talk about things to the best degree you can in English, in digestible language,” Psaki said.
“And sometimes you don’t meet that bar,” she said, “but it’s a pretty good daily test.”
