White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is expected to leave the Biden Administration for MSNBC. Psaki hasn’t signed a contract yet, but according to multiple reports, she is in advanced talks to host a show on the streaming service Peacock and provide analysis for MSNBC.
Psaki said she doesn’t have anything to announce about possible future plans and neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
Since the news broke, the White House press corps has repeatedly questioned Psaki about the ethics of negotiating with a media outlet while she’s still press secretary. CBS News White House Correspondent Ed O’Keefe questioned Psaki at a recent briefing.
“Is it ethical for you to continue conducting this job while negotiating with a media outlet,” he asked.
Some of the toughest questions have come from NBC’s Kristen Welker.
“How is it ethical to have these conversations with media outlets while you continue to have a job standing behind that podium,” she asked.
“There are a range of stringent ethical and legal requirements that are imposed on everybody in this administration and many administrations past about any conversations you’re having with future employers,” Psaki responded. “That is true of any industry you’re working in. And I have abided by those, and tried to take steps to go beyond that as well.”
CNN reported NBC News staffers have expressed dismay to network executives. NBC News President Noah Oppenheim held an emergency phone call with DC staffers who are concerned hiring Psaki could tarnish the NBC News brand. Oppeheim responded by saying Psaki will only appear on MSNBC opinion programming, not NBC News.
It’s not uncommon for former administration officials to join cable outlets. Dana Perino was Press Secretary for President George W. Bush and is now one of Fox News’ most watched hosts. But she joined the network after Bush left office. The Psaki controversy stems from her simultaneously working and negotiating.
It’s not clear when Psaki will leave, but she’s expected to stay until at least Apr. 30 for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
