Jen Psaki: Trump and his allies are campaigning on cruelty

The former president's Time magazine interview is a must-read

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki Saturday, May 04, 2024 Trump and his allies are campaigning on cruelty. His Time interview proves it. By Jen Psaki In an interview with Time magazine published this week, former President Donald Trump put some meat on the bones of his most extreme proposals for a second term. When asked about his dictatorial aspirations, all he could say is: "I think a lot of people like it."   But it hardly stopped there. Trump said he would treat migrants as enemy combatants, using the U.S. armed forces to detain and deport millions of undocumented immigrants, in violation of the law. Trump said states should be allowed to prosecute women for obtaining abortions, and also be allowed to monitor women's pregnancies. And once again he vowed to personally interfere in the administration of justice, saying he could fire U.S. attorneys who don't obey his orders.   While Trump has never hidden his authoritarian tendencies and dictatorial aspirations, this interview marked a shift toward a new, almost casual, openness about those intentions, however cruel or oppressive they may be. It also was published amid a similarly disturbing trend from Trump's allies, who are not only parroting his brand of rhetoric, but taking similar pride in cruelty and lawlessness.   Just take Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake, who last month encouraged MAGA vigilantism, asking supporters to "strap on a Glock" ahead of the November election. Or Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, who called to "forcibly remove" protesters from the Golden Gate Bridge. Or South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who bragged about killing her 14-month-old puppy Cricket, simply because "it had to be done."   Trump and his MAGA allies equate cruelty with power. Somehow that has become a core part of a major political party's messaging.   Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here. And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC. TRUMP TRIAL RECAP KATIE PHANG Day 11 of Trump's hush money trial in 60 seconds WATCH NOW TOP STORIES ZEESHAN ALEEM The pro-Palestinian college protests worked Even extreme repression worked to their advantage as they have applied pressure to the political class and liberal institutions. Read more. CAROL C. LAM Trump's trial has already proved one of his most corrupt tendencies Testimony and reams of text messages in New York clearly highlight Trump's willingness to take something earned by others and corrupt it for his own benefit. Read more. STEVE BENEN Under conservative media pressure, Jim Jordan launches new probe Conservative media told Jim Jordan to care about a conspiracy theory involving a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office. He's complying. Read more. RYAN TEAGUE BECKWITH Biden is overlooking a simple solution to high bank fees Four million people already have basic debit cards through the federal government, but more could be done. Read more.         TOP VIDEOS MORNING JOE Stephanie Ruhle: April jobs report is a 'bad news, good news number' WATCH NOW DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE Hope Hicks testifies about Trump's 'meltdown' after Access Hollywood tape leak WATCH NOW ALL IN Kristi Noem roasted by Trump Jr, Bannon over dog killing revelation WATCH NOW CHRIS JANSING REPORTS Lawrence O'Donnell details his interaction with Donald Trump in court WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC Tonight, watch a special conversation at New York City's historic Apollo Theater hosted by Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow. They discuss Joy's "New York Times" best-selling book, "Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America" and how the mission of these civil rights pioneers is now more urgent than ever. Watch "Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow Live at the Apollo" tonight at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock. On Monday, Joy Reid sits down with Brittney Griner in her first cable interview since her arrest in Russia. She'll discuss her time spent in a Russian Penal Colony, how her story became a big political conversation, and her ongoing efforts around advocating for other prisoners. Watch The ReidOut Monday at 7 p.m. ET on MSNBC. MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community. This weekend on MSNBC SATURDAY MSNBC's "The Weekend" at 8am ET: Katie Phang… Frank Bruni… Susanne Craig MSNBC presents Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow Live at The Apollo at 9pm ET SUNDAY MSNBC's "Velshi" at 10am ET: Mary Trump MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki" at 12pm ET: Ashley Parker… Scott Galloway *Subject to change 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE