Move over, Rachel Maddow—there’s a new redhead behind the 9 p.m. desk, and she’s not playing nice.

Just one week into her full-time primetime run, Jen Psaki has already proven she’s not afraid to bring the heat. From bold political analysis to fiery satire, Psaki turned heads with her Friday night show (May 9) that didn’t just rattle the usual suspects—it publicly dragged Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump’s new press secretary, in a segment that has viewers and critics alike scrambling for the replay button.

And as the dust settles, one question blazes through cable news circles: Did Psaki just cement herself as Maddow’s true successor—or did she go too far?

Jen Psaki, former Biden press secretary turned MSNBC host, took over the 9 p.m. ET slot Tuesday through Friday after Rachel Maddow scaled back to Mondays only. Her show, The Briefing, debuted May 6 with solid numbers:

1.19 million total viewers,

139,000 in the 25–54 demo, the metric advertisers care about most.

But the rollercoaster began almost immediately.

Wednesday’s episode dipped to 1.015 million viewers, with the demo plummeting to just 65,000.

By Thursday, she rebounded with 1.105 million viewers and 98,000 in the demo, holding her own against Fox’s Sean Hannity.

Compared to Maddow’s farewell numbers before her schedule change—1.942 million total viewers and 169,000 in the demo—Psaki still has ground to cover. But MSNBC insiders are already buzzing about her firebrand tone and millennial-tinged energy, something even Maddow herself praised.

“Jen knows people. She knows how to talk to people,” Maddow told People. “That’s going to make the 9 o’clock hour better with her than with me.”

Psaki vs. Karoline: The Segment That Lit Up MSNBC

But it was Friday night’s closing segment that truly launched Psaki into viral orbit.

In a surprise bit, Psaki stepped in front of a virtual White House briefing room and delivered her own answers to real questions reporters had asked Karoline Leavitt earlier that day—“minus the usual MAGA spin.”

And it was savage.

“I’ve noticed the briefing room has taken a bit of a bizarro turn lately,” Psaki said, smirking. “So, I figured, what the hell—it’s Friday. Why not dust off the cobwebs?”

From there, she unleashed a blistering monologue that called out Trump’s transactional politics, mocked Eric Adams’ White House visit, and dismissed Trump’s recent UK deal as nothing but “an empty shell dressed up in photo ops.”

The sharpest barb? Her takedown of Leavitt’s media presence.

“It’s not just that she’s evasive,” Psaki said. “It’s that she sounds like she’s trying to play press secretary instead of being one.”

Leavitt Under Fire: First Months, First Meltdown?

Karoline Leavitt, just months into her role as Trump’s press secretary, has already weathered several controversies—from stonewalling reporters to escalating confrontations in the briefing room. But this was the first time a predecessor publicly called her out on national TV—and the reaction was explosive.

Social media lit up:

“Jen Psaki dressing up and doing Karoline’s job better than her in 3 minutes flat? Iconic.”
“This isn’t just a clapback. This is political theater. And it WORKS.”
“Karoline better bring a helmet Monday.”

The silence from Leavitt’s side was deafening. No official response. No press release. No spin. Just crickets.

From West Wing to War Room

Psaki’s transition from Biden’s press room to MSNBC’s studio has been surprisingly seamless—her calm, calculated delivery combined with biting wit mirrors Maddow’s intellectual cadence but with a more confrontational edge.

Unlike Maddow, Psaki knows Washington. She’s lived in the belly of the beast. That lived experience is starting to show—and it’s becoming her biggest weapon.

But Can She Survive the Ratings Race?

Even with Friday’s viral moment, Psaki faces stiff competition.

Sean Hannity still commands a strong grip on the conservative base, and CNN’s 9 p.m. reshuffling is luring in centrist viewers. While Psaki’s Thursday comeback numbers are encouraging, her Wednesday slump suggests she hasn’t sealed the deal with the key demo—yet.

But MSNBC insiders aren’t worried. The network is reportedly doubling down on Psaki’s tone, giving her more freedom to blend satire, politics, and personal insight in the coming weeks.

“They want her to be Jen,” one source revealed. “Not Rachel 2.0. Not a Biden talking head. But the Jen Psaki who went toe-to-toe with Peter Doocy and won.”

Final Verdict: The Briefing Just Became Must-See TV

Jen Psaki may not have Maddow’s ratings—yet—but she’s got something else: fearlessness. She’s not afraid to speak plainly. She’s not afraid to mock power. And she’s certainly not afraid to punch back—especially if your name is Karoline Leavitt.

Whether you love her or hate her, Psaki’s Friday night takedown made one thing clear:

She’s here to own the room—and maybe even the hour.