A firestorm erupted across media platforms after MSNBC host Jen Psaki made controversial remarks about Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, during an appearance on the liberal podcast “I’ve Had It” on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The former White House press secretary under President Joe Biden sparked outrage by suggesting Vance’s wife might need rescuing from her marriage while describing the vice president as more frightening than President Donald Trump.
During her conversation with podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan, Psaki characterized the 41-year-old vice president as a “little Manchurian candidate” who harbors presidential ambitions above all else. She described him as dangerous due to his youth and political adaptability, claiming he functions as a chameleon who molds himself to match audience expectations.
“I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife,” Psaki stated. “Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. We’ll come over here. We’ll save you.”
The podcast episode description amplified the controversy by stating that Usha Vance should blink twice if she requires assistance. Psaki elaborated that Vance’s willingness to pursue the presidency at any cost made him scarier than Trump in certain respects, positioning the vice president as particularly dangerous due to his agility and ambition.
Conservative media outlets and commentators swiftly condemned the remarks. Fox News hosts on “Fox & Friends” called the comments disturbing and nasty, with co-host Lawrence Jones demanding an apology from Psaki on Wednesday morning, October 22, 2025. His colleague Brian Kilmeade, who recently issued his own apology for inflammatory remarks about homeless people, responded that viewers should not hold their breath waiting for any mea culpa from the MSNBC host.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha appeared on “Fox & Friends First” and described Psaki’s statements as outright slander. He accused the former press secretary of fabricating personal attacks because she cannot argue policy positions. Concha derisively referred to Psaki as “Peppermint Patty” before lamenting how toxic contemporary politics has become, dominated by ad hominem attacks rather than substantive debate.
Right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt, appearing on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday, suggested Psaki felt safe making such comments because the podcast appeals to the far-left edge of the Democratic Party. He asserted that the remarks demonstrated the left has run out of ideas and can only resort to insults lacking substance. Hewitt also speculated the podcast appearance served as publicity for Psaki as MSNBC transitions to its upcoming MS NOW rebrand.
White House communications director Steven Cheung joined the criticism, suggesting Psaki was projecting her own personal issues onto others. Social media accounts amplified the backlash, with several users describing the comments as disgusting and vile. Critics noted the remarks represented an insult to women genuinely trapped in problematic marriages.
Vice President Vance addressed the controversy while on a tarmac returning to the United States after a two-day trip to Israel on Thursday, October 23, 2025. His wife accompanied him on the diplomatic journey. When reporters asked for his response to Psaki’s comments, Vance characterized them as disgraceful but noted his wife could speak for herself.
The vice president expressed gratitude for having a wonderful wife and voiced hope that she felt the same about him. He described himself as fortunate to undertake this journey with a loving spouse and affirmed his honor at having Usha by his side during the Israel trip and always. The couple intends to continue serving the country together.
The controversy follows previous clashes between Psaki and Vance. In August 2025, after a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Psaki questioned whether offering prayer after such tragedies was appropriate, writing that prayer does not end school shootings or bring victims back. Vance responded by calling her comments the most bizarre aspect of weird left-wing culture wars.
Earlier in 2024, Psaki accused Vance of inauthenticity on the campaign trail, telling MSNBC viewers that the American public can detect such qualities. The latest exchange has reignited debates about appropriate boundaries in political discourse, particularly regarding spouses of public officials. The podcast remarks have circulated widely across conservative social media platforms, with some commentators noting inconsistencies between feminist principles and mocking a woman’s marital choices based on political disagreement.
