Former Biden press secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki found herself in a pickle that might just rival the juiciest of political dramas. It’s a tale as old as time—or at least as old as the current administration—where words are twisted, and reality seems to take a backseat to narrative. The latest chapter? Psaki’s debut into the literary world with her book, “Say More,” which, ironically, will now say a bit less after being forced to edit out what some might call a “whopper” of a lie.
You see, Psaki spun a yarn about Joe Biden’s infamous watch-checking incident during a solemn ceremony honoring fallen service members from Afghanistan. She claimed, with what I imagine was a straight face, that Biden only glanced at his watch after the ceremony had concluded. But, as luck—or should I say, diligent observation by Gold Star families—would have it, this wasn’t quite accurate. Critics, armed with something called facts, were quick to point out that Biden was seen checking his watch not once, but multiple times during the ceremony, much to the chagrin of those mourning their loved ones.
Now, in what world does “after the ceremony” translate to “during the ceremony”? Only in the fantastical realm of political spin, it seems. Mark Schmitz, father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, and Shana Chappell, mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, did not mince words when they expressed their outrage over Biden’s perceived insensitivity. If you ask me, it’s rather telling when the people directly affected by such actions have a vastly different account than those trying to polish the administration’s image.
After Axios brought the discrepancy to light, Psaki, perhaps channeling her inner editor, decided that the “detail in a few lines of the book about the exact number of times he looked at his watch will be removed in future reprints and the ebook.” A classic move of damage control, if there ever was one. But the real kicker? Psaki’s attempt to pivot the narrative towards the “importance of delivering feedback even when it is difficult.” Well, how about starting with being honest?
In all seriousness, folks, this incident underscores an important lesson in accountability and transparency, two qualities that seem to be in short supply these days. With election day looming and Biden trailing Trump in nearly every battleground state, one can’t help but wonder if the American people are starting to tire of the spin cycle.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about a misrepresentation in a book—it’s about the credibility of those who are supposed to lead with integrity. And as we’ve seen, when the truth is compromised, trust isn’t far behind. Now, if only we could get some editing done on the administration’s policies, we might really be onto something.
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