Jen Psaki closing in on deal with major news network ahead of White House exit: report

White House press secretary Jen Psaki is reportedly in talks with MSNBC to join the network after she leaves her job in the administration sometime around May.

That’s according to Axios, which cited two sources familiar with the plans to say Psaki “has been in close consultation with the White House counsel’s office about her departure” to ensure compliance with legal and ethical requirements.

While nothing has been signed, the deal is “nearly final,” Axios reported and will entail Psaki having her own show on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock, and contributing to live programming on MSNBC’s cable network. Psaki will not be replacing Rachel Maddow in the 9 p.m. time slot, as some have speculated.

It appears MSNBC was the highest bidder for Psaki’s services, as she reportedly had conversations with CNN as well, and other networks had expressed interest in signing her, the website noted.

“Psaki’s deal is similar to that of Symone Sanders, a former adviser and senior spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris,” Axios  reported, explaining that Sanders “signed an exclusive deal with MSNBC in January to host a show on Peacock and to participate in live programming on MSNBC.”

MSNBC and CNN remain popular landing spots for Democratic administration officials, while Fox News hired former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany last year.

There was plenty of commentary about the White House to cable media pipeline in response to the story… here’s a quick sampling from Twitter:

Tom Tillison

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