The Briefing with Jen Psaki
Episode: "Shut this White House down": Platner talks strategy to stop Trump
Date: May 1, 2026
Host: Jen Psaki (MS NOW) — main interview segments led by Chris Hayes
Guests: Graham Platner (Maine Senate candidate), JP Cooney (former Jack Smith deputy), Justin J. Pearson (Tennessee state rep.)
Episode Overview
This episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki zeroes in on the explosive new dynamics of the 2026 midterms: escalating Republican and Trump administration talking points around gas prices and the economy, a deep dive into the unexpected rise of Maine's populist Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, and urgent discussions of democracy and voting rights threatened by recent Supreme Court decisions. Platner, in a no-holds-barred interview, explains his grassroots strategy against entrenched power, Susan Collins, and, most strikingly, Donald Trump—arguing Democrats must "shut this White House down" should they reclaim the Senate. The show also highlights legal overreaches by the Trump Justice Department and dangerous new efforts at voter suppression.
Throughout, the tone blends pointed critique, populist energy, and a call for organized citizen action.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Economy, Gas Prices, and GOP Misinformation
Segment opens with Chris Hayes and GOP/Trump soundbites (00:50–07:30)
- Republicans are heavily messaging that gas prices are stable or falling, painting the Trump administration as economic saviors—contradicted by the facts.
- Chris Hayes calls out “lying through his teeth” (04:10) by GOP leaders on gas prices, pointing out actual prices are up and inflation is rising.
- Graham Platner fact-checks a GOP supporter live:
- “I think two years ago in April of 2024, we were at about 3.65. So we’re actually above where we were then.” (04:01)
- Trump distracts from issues, riffing about “flawless granite” renovations at the White House (08:01)—juxtaposed with real-world struggles of working Americans.
- Public polling shows overwhelming opposition to Trump’s vanity projects, with Americans focused instead on economic strain and the war’s impact.
Memorable Quote:
“There's plenty of gas. It's sitting all over the oceans of the world.”
—Donald Trump (07:16)
2. Graham Platner’s Unlikely Rise in Maine & Populist Campaigning
Intro & interview segment (12:12–21:25, resumes 23:32–30:47)
- Platner, originally an oysterman with no statewide name recognition, has surged to victory in the Democratic Senate primary after Governor Janet Mills concedes.
- Platner’s campaign centers around grassroots engagement (“63 town halls”, direct access), a populist agenda, and refusing to play by “establishment” rules.
- Platner has weathered multiple controversies—old tattoos, reddits, and awkward podcast appearances—by prioritizing transparency and accessibility over polish.
- He frames his campaign as a working-class organizing project, refusing to cede ground to dark money interests or Republican billionaire donors.
- Calls for donations and volunteers, highlighting a $42 million GOP ad assault.
Platner (to supporters):
“The win we get today, it comes because of you… we’re going to show the rest of the country that this is the politics of the future and that working people can organize and they can win.” (12:12)
- On running against Susan Collins:
- Criticizes her “30 years” of making life harder for Mainers—hospital closures, unaffordable housing, youth flight (17:25).
- Attacks her for supporting “stupid foreign wars” (Iran), failing five War Powers votes, and prioritizing corporate donors over constituents.
Platner:
“Susan Collins moves back and forth, depending on... how she can try to trick all of us into thinking she's a moderate... In the age of Donald Trump, when you always show up to vote for Trump when it counts and are never there when we need you... The people of Maine are sick and tired of that.” (17:25)
- Platner, a veteran, makes his antiwar position personal and central, rejecting the political establishment’s bipartisan habit of supporting endless conflicts.
3. A Strategy for a Democratic Senate Majority: ‘Shut This White House Down’
Platner's vision for wielding Democratic Senate power (28:22–30:31)
- Platner advocates for a bold, confrontational use of Senate majority power against the Trump White House.
- Calls for “committee hearings and investigations,” wielding subpoena power to “shut this White House down.” (28:45)
- Dems should “not vote for a single Trump nominee” and use funding control to halt Trump policies, especially war funding and agencies like ICE.
- Critiques Democratic leadership for a lack of clear “theory of power,” arguing for an activist, goal-oriented approach focused on outcomes for working people.
Quote:
“If we’re in the majority, we need to use the power. We get to shut this White House down... I want the Trump administration not to function because everyone in the White House is being hauled under subpoena in front of a Senate committee day after day after day.” (28:45)
“The purpose of power isn’t just to have it, it’s to use it, it’s to wield it in the service of a long term goal... That’s not what we've been seeing for quite some time.” (29:40)
4. Democrats, Leadership, and the Schumer Dilemma
Party unity after Platner’s win (23:32–24:51)
- Platner confirms he’s spoken to Chuck Schumer following Mills’ concession; Schumer now “quickly” endorses Platner.
- Platner maintains his criticism of national leadership remains, but the priority is defeating Collins and flipping the Senate.
- Puts party differences aside for now: “We’re all going to align and work together to that goal.” (24:14)
5. Trump, Populism, and the Roots of Political Discontent
Platner on the Trump challenge (24:51–27:45)
- Platner frames Trump as both danger and symptom:
- Trump “is the outcome of a system that... has been leaving working people, average, everyday Americans feeling like their politics does not represent them at all.”
- He argues that both right-wing populism and establishment politics have failed Mainers and Americans—and insists only bottom-up organizing can resolve the root causes.
6. The Comey Case & Trump DOJ Overreach
Interview with JP Cooney (33:32–37:25)
- Legal expert JP Cooney slams the Justice Department’s prosecution of James Comey over an Instagram post as “vindictive and a selective prosecution.”
- “This case will be thrown out because it is not supported by either fact or law,” Cooney insists (35:24).
- Cooney warns that DOJ credibility is “eroded completely... We cannot trust what this department says to us. And that is an incredible threat to both public safety and to our constitutional order.” (36:24)
- Solutions: exposure, standing up to Trump, electing Democrats to Congress, “day by day, brick by brick” rebuilding the DOJ.
7. Democracy Under Threat: Voter Suppression and the Supreme Court
Discussion with Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson (39:50–44:12)
- Following a Supreme Court ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act, Republican-led states rush to redraw maps and even suspend elections (Louisiana, Tennessee).
- Trump is openly encouraging Republican governors to eliminate safe Democratic districts, particularly targeting majority-Black Tennessee District 9.
- Justin J. Pearson, now running for Congress, calls this “the silence of a majority black district... very similar to what happened post-Reconstruction” (39:50).
- Pearson rallies listeners to petition, organize, and if need be “march from Memphis to Nashville as they marched from Selma to Montgomery” (42:08).
Pearson:
“We are not going to allow the sacrifices of our ancestors to go in vain. We're going to organize, advocate. And if we have to march from Memphis to Nashville... that's what we're gonna do. This is about our democracy.” (42:08)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “All their ships are underwater. I think you mean Iran there, pal. Iran. See, Donald Trump doesn’t even know which war he’s talking about.” —Chris Hayes (02:39)
- “Does that make Mike Johnson the grown up? Like if you’re a grownup you don’t have a spine.” —Chris Hayes (01:36)
- “We’ve known [the Republicans are coming for us] since the beginning, and we’re going to continue in many ways just doing what we’re doing... We’re gonna beat Susan Collins in November.” —Graham Platner (15:23)
- “Trump is the symptom of a much deeper rot... Right wing populism, Donald Trump’s presidency, it hasn’t fixed any of those problems that people had. In fact, it’s made them worse.” —Graham Platner (25:16)
- “Using subpoena power, bringing people in for investigations... keeps them busy and that doesn’t allow them to go start another stupid war.” —Graham Platner (28:45)
- “The conduct of this Department of Justice debases its history, its purpose, and it undermines the security of the United States.” —JP Cooney (36:24)
- “We are not going to allow the sacrifices of our ancestors to go in vain. We’re going to organize, advocate... This is about our democracy.” —Justin J. Pearson (42:08)
Key Timestamps
- 00:50–07:30: GOP gas price spin; Trump’s granite tangent; economic realities
- 12:12–14:50: Platner’s victory speech & start of interview
- 15:23: Platner on campaign strategy and GOP attacks
- 17:25: Critique of Susan Collins and the establishment
- 19:53: Platner’s antiwar stance, contrast with Collins
- 23:32–24:51: Platner on Democratic leadership, Schumer, party unity
- 28:22–30:31: Platner’s strategy for a Democratic Senate — “shut this White House down”
- 33:32–37:25: JP Cooney on the Comey prosecution and DOJ collapse
- 39:50–44:12: Justin J. Pearson on Tennessee, the Voting Rights crisis, defending democracy
Episode Takeaways
- Democratic energy is surging at the grassroots: Populists like Platner are gaining traction by speaking directly to working people and opposing both Trumpism and Democratic establishment inertia.
- The stakes are existential on multiple fronts: Economic disinformation, endless war, and new threats to the very structure of democracy dominate the headlines.
- The new argument for Democrats: Not merely resisting Trump, but building a durable, bold theory and practice of power to actively constrain him—“shut this White House down.”
- Listeners are urged to stay engaged, organize, and prepare for what may be the defining fights for democracy of this era.
This summary provides a comprehensive blueprint of the episode, capturing its urgency, shifts in Democratic strategy, and the growing challenge to both Trumpism and political complacency among Democrats.