MSNBC host Jen Psaki briefly described President Donald Trump as a “predator” during her Wednesday night broadcast before swiftly retracting the remark.
While discussing newly publicized emails connected to Jeffrey Epstein with Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., Psaki referenced other “predators” tied to Epstein “in addition to Trump,” then immediately walked the comment back.
“You’re talking about the other predators that are out there in addition to Trump,” she said, before quickly clarifying: “Not that — I’m not saying he is. We don’t know all the details about that.”
She reiterated that her broader point was about individuals implicated in Epstein’s network. Garcia agreed that there were “other predators” involved.
The exchange came after Democratic members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released tens of thousands of pages of new documents related to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 after his conviction for sex offenses. Among the materials were emails referencing Trump.
One 2011 email from Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwell alleged that Trump spent significant time with one of Epstein’s victims, whose identity was redacted by Democrats. According to the White House, the unnamed individual was Virginia Giuffre.
“I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him, has never once been mentioned,” Epstein wrote.
Democratic lawmakers, including Garcia, argue the email suggests Trump had a closer connection to Epstein than previously acknowledged. During the interview, Garcia accused Trump of withholding key details and claimed the Justice Department is similarly withholding information that could expose powerful individuals tied to Epstein’s trafficking network.
“We want to know the truth,” Garcia said, asserting that influential men “walking free” have faced no consequences for abusing girls connected to Epstein.
Republicans, meanwhile, pushed back on the claims. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Democrats “selectively leaked” emails to unfairly target Trump.
She emphasized that Giuffre has publicly stated Trump was not involved in wrongdoing and was polite during their limited interactions. Leavitt also noted that Trump removed Epstein from his club years ago for inappropriate behavior toward female staff.
