Jen Psaki on Fox News with hosts Bill Hemmer (l) and Dana PerinoPhoto: Screenshot
Conservatives are having a meltdown after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was interviewed on Fox News… and she did well.
“What kind of softball interview was that with Jen Psaki on Fox News with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino?” one person complained on Twitter. “Absolutely ridiculous funfest!”
Related: Jen Psaki shoots down reporter asking about Hunter Biden’s laptop again
Psaki went on the cable network today for a 15-minute interview with America’s Newsroom co-anchors Hemmer and Perino. They talked about COVID, voting rights protections, and President Joe Biden’s press conference yesterday.
Hemmer and Perino are not exactly the best interviewers in the media.
“On the border now, it did not come up yesterday,” Hemmer said at one point in the interview, referring to Biden’s press conference.
“Well, I’m surprised, Bill, as well, because it was a nearly two-hour press conference and people asked whatever they wanted, including some crazy questions in there,” Psaki responded, smiling as she explained the concept of a press conference to a professional journalist.
Fox News’ Bill Hemmer: “On the border now. It did not come up yesterday…”
Jen Psaki: “Well, I’m surprised Bill, as well. It was a nearly 2-hour press conference and people asked whatever they wanted, including some crazy questions in there.” pic.twitter.com/gJtbkIysKY
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) January 20, 2022
Perino told Psaki that unvaccinated people “feel like scapegoats and second-class citizens.” She said that “Europe” is lifting COVID-19 restrictions and brought up Israel as an example of a European country. She said she’s pro-vaccination and then stopped there, not really explaining what her question for Psaki was.
Psaki responded that many Republicans and non-partisan people are vaccinated. Since there wasn’t really a question to answer, she took the opportunity to remind Fox viewers that “you are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized and 20 times more likely to die if you are not vaccinated.”
Fox News asks WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki if there’s an “off-ramp” for unvaccinated Americans who “feel like scapegoats and second-class citizens.”
Psaki: “You are 17x more likely to be hospitalized and 20x more likely to die if you are not vaccinated.” pic.twitter.com/A7nmvJrmFu
— The Recount (@therecount) January 20, 2022
Fox viewers online were not happy with the interview, angry that Hemmer and Perino couldn’t bring Psaki down.
What kind of softball interview was that with Jen Psaki on @FoxNews with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino? Absolutely ridiculous funfest!
— Nate (@ItsElementary__) January 20, 2022
Both @BillHemmer and @DanaPerino are a disaster at asking questions. The questions are more like statements which gave Psaki help on how to answer them. Peri o is better at answering questions than asking them. Hammer is just plain lost. #FoxNews
— Kit (@RobertW33085693) January 20, 2022
Bill Hemmer
Soft ball questions for pesky
SMHNow you know why Direct TV is not dropping Fox
— Phil (@Philo77777) January 20, 2022
Why would @FoxNews @DanaPerino @BillHemmer have lying Jen Psaki on their network to spread more misinformation about the concerns of the Biden administration? I thought I mistakenly hit the CNN channel.
— Done (@Viper5648) January 20, 2022
Dana Perino acting like middle schooler during Psaki interview…jealous of Hemmer doing a better job…
— VeteranCaregiver (@VeteranSusan) January 20, 2022
Liberals and moderates, though, generally liked how Psaki’s appearance on the rightwing channel.
After watching @PressSec go into the belly of the beast (aka @FoxNews) this morning it left me with one impression.
She’s damn good at her job.
RT if you agree
— JR (@johhnrichards) January 20, 2022
One of the problems with @Foxnews ( and there are MANY) … is that that they don’t have ANY JOURNALISTS. NONE.
They have partisan hacks and most of them are NOT what I would consider “sharp”, intelligent or incisive. They are mostly “C” or “D” league.https://t.co/Z6Ynlr6kaV
— Chris Smith (@jchrissmith0007) January 20, 2022
