White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki brought down the house at a live taping when she revealed the “weirdest” question she’s ever been asked at a briefing.
Ms. Psaki was a guest Thursday night on a live episode of Pod Save America, during which host Jon Lovett and comedian Mike Birbiglia bantered with the press secretary to introduce a game show bit.
Birbiglia joked that Psaki’s job prepares her well for a standup comedy career dealing with hecklers, and Lovett used that cue to ask a question whose answer stunned Birbiglia and brought down the house:
MR. LOVETT: So, Jen. Speaking of hecklers, what would you say is the weirdest question you’ve gotten in your time in the briefing room?MS. PSAKI: There are many. But the weirdest question I think that sticks with me and sticks with the members of the press team is, will you commit to us today not to euthanize the president’s dog?MR. BIRBIGLIA: What?!?MS. PSAKI: Yes. Will you commit that you will not kill the president’s dog? Yes. I will commit not to kill the president’s dog…MR. LOVETT: No matter how many people he attacks.MS. PSAKI: Right. Right.MR. LOVETT: We’ll sweep ’em under the rug.MR. BIRBIGLIA: Who asked that? Who asked that question?MR. LOVETT: You think Doug had COVID? No, no. He was attacked. I’m so sorry. We&
#8217;ll cut this. Nah, we’ll leave it in.
The answer to Birbiglia’s question is the New York Post’s Steve Nelson, who had this exchange with Psaki last March following reports of a “biting incident” involving then-First Dog Major Biden:
MR. NELSON: Can you confirm that it was a Secret Service member who was bitten? And can you also reassure the public that Major Biden will not be euthanized as a result of this?MS. PSAKI: Well, certainly, Major Biden is a member of the family, so I can assure you that. I don’t have details on the individual. I would encourage you to ask the Secret Service, but I’m not going to have any more individ- — details, other than that.
Major wasn’t euthanized, but eventually departed the People’s House when the adjustment proved too difficult for dog and humans alike.
Listen above via Crooked Media.