MSNBC's Jen Psaki torches MAGA 'fake patriotism' and begs Dems not to squander opportunity

MSNBC host Jen Psaki is urging Democrats to reclaim the meaning of patriotism from MAGA Republicans, who she warned are using national symbols as political theater, while ignoring those who actually serve the country.

Psaki, in an op-ed published Wednesday, took aim at what she called “performative patriotism” from President Donald Trump and GOP leaders. She said the time has come “for Democrats to call out Trump.”

“Let's focus less on maps, flagpoles and parades and more on providing quality care for the people who actually served this country,” according to Psaki’s op-ed, which also appeared on Tuesday’s episode of “The Briefing with Jen Psaki.”

Psaki went on to blast recent Republican efforts, including a House bill renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” and plans for a massive Flag Day military parade in Washington – an event that coincides with both the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s birthday, according to the MSNBC host.

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“Over at the White House, Trump has been busy redecorating, putting his personal touch on pretty much everything,” Psaki added as she continued to fume. “He’s scouting the North Lawn and the South Lawn for a place to put two new flagpoles that he says will be nearly 100 feet tall.”

Meanwhile, she said, “VA mental health physicians have been forced to use cramped office spaces to provide teletherapy.”

“Despite what Trump and the MAGA world think, patriotism isn’t about simple displays,” Psaki, a former White House press secretary under Joe Biden, said.

The primetime host called on Democrats to take advantage of the opening and start defining patriotism on their own terms. “Right now, Democrats have an opportunity to push for a deeper definition of patriotism," she said.