Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Jen Psaki Schools Fox News Reporter Who Blames 'Good' Unemployment Benefits For People Not Returning To Work

Jen Psaki Schools Fox News Reporter Who Blames 'Good' Unemployment Benefits For People Not Returning To Work
C-SPAN2

Biden administration Press Secretary Jen Psaki has not lost her polite way of schooling people who try to ask unsubstantiated or gotcha questions in her press conferences.

Every time she does, people love to see it after four years of little accurate information coming from the White House.


When Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Psaki a question suggesting people were refusing to return to work simply because unemployment benefits were "so good," Psaki pushed back as calmly as she possibly could.

You can see the moment here:

youtu.be

Psaki said:

"We have looked at the data...we don't see much evidence that the extra unemployment insurance is a major driver in people not rejoining the work force."
"We actually see the data and our analysis shows that the lack of vaccinations, the lower rate, which is why I refer to the data and the week that it was taken—it has an impact."
"Childcare has an impact. Schools reopening has an impact."





Still, Doocy pressed on.

"Anybody who is making $32,000 a year is better off financially just taking the unemployment benefits. So is the White House creating an incentive just to stay home?"

But Psaki did not waiver.

President Joe Biden's choice as press liaison replied:

"Well, again, the majority of economists internally and externally at the White House don't feel that unemployment insurance—something that was done at a time to help unemployed people get through a very difficult economic downturn during a pandemic—is a major driver in our unemployment data.
"There are other factors, bigger factors that were contributing, have been contributing to the [jobs] numbers we saw on Friday. That's what we're working to address."





Doocy and Psaki have had several exchanges in the press room, such as when Doocy angrily demanded to know why Fox News was not on Biden's "list" of networks to make contact with.

Jen Psaki gave an extremely polite shutdown at the time.

"I would say that I'm always happy to have this conversation with you, even about the awesome socks you are wearing today, and have a conversation with you even when we disagree."
"The President's taken your questions, and I'm looking forward to doing 'Fox News Sunday' this Sunday for the third time in the last few months. I think we've got to move on because we've got limited time."



Fox News and Newsmax are frequent thorns in Psaki's side. Yet her demeanor remains as calm and patient as always.

The difference between the former administration's approach and this one's are obvious including the return of regular press briefings.

More from News

Screenshot of James Talarico; Ken Paxton
MediasTouch Podcast; Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Texas Democrat James Talarico Has Epic Response To MAGA Opponent's Accusation That He's A Secret Vegan

Texas Senate nominee James Talarico had the perfect response after MAGA Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused him of being a secret vegan.

Talarico is not actually vegan—though there is nothing inherently wrong with veganism. Even so, Paxton has already begun attacking his likely Democratic challenger before he has officially entered the race, arguing that Talarico is unfit to represent Texans partly because of his supposed veganism.

Keep ReadingShow less
Russell Crowe
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Russell Crowe Shuts Down Accusations He Was Rude To Fans In Paris After Video Goes Viral—But People Are Torn

While staying in a hotel in Paris, Gladiator star Russell Crowe was met with a crowd of fans outside, eager to take selfies and receive autographs.

Crowe took the time to work his way through the crowd while still honoring his schedule and other guests at the hotel, and he was able to do that by setting firm boundaries, which were soon met with mixed reviews.

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander
@variety/X

Journalist Slammed After Only Addressing South Korean Film's Two White Actors During Q&A At Cannes

A journalist is being hotly criticized for all but ignoring the Asian stars of a South Korean film at Cannes in favor of the film's two white headliners.

Stars Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are being criticized as well for not calling out the journalist's behavior and sticking up for their castmates.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot of Kevin Hart on The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club/YouTube

Kevin Hart Just Tried To Defend Tony Hinchcliffe's George Floyd Joke At His Netflix Roast—And Fans Aren't Having It

Comedian Kevin Hart is facing heightened backlash after picking the worst venue to defend and make excuses for the racist jokes of MAGA comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe was included as a featured performer on Netflix's roast of Hart.

Despite getting his backside handed to him by Chelsea Handler, Hinchcliffe still managed to spew some of the bigotry passed off as humor that is his shtick. Hart then decided to go on the popular morning radio show The Breakfast Club to defend him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Zohran Mamdani; Vivek Ramaswamy
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; John Lamparski/Getty Images

Zohran Mamdani Trolls Vivek Ramaswamy Hard After Knicks Sweep Cavaliers—And Fans Are Cheering

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had social media users cackling after he couldn't help but rub the Knicks' sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the face of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ramaswamy, a billionaire entrepreneur, is currently campaigning for the 2026 election in the state, where he has continued to face accusations that he is out of touch with the average American voter, such as when he suggested lawmakers could help make parenting "more affordable" by making school year-round.

Keep ReadingShow less