Backlash hits Chris Wallace after he calls Jen Psaki 'one of the best press secretaries ever': 'You're a clown'



Fox News anchor Chris Wallace is taking heat on social media after describing White House press secretary Jen Psaki as one of the best to ever hold the position.

What did Wallace say?

While speaking on Fox News Friday, Wallace praised network correspondent Peter Doocy and Psaki. The two have made headlines throughout the Biden administration for their often tense exchanges in the White House press briefing room.

Doocy and Psaki even clashed on Friday when Doocy grilled Psaki about President Joe Biden's absence from the southern U.S. border amid the migrant crisis.

"Honestly, as somebody who's spent six years in the White House, my immediate reaction was, 'Those are two people at the top of their game. I think that [Doocy] has become the Sam Donaldson of this White House press corps. And since I was working in the press corps when Sam Donaldson was there, that's a very grudging compliment on my part," Wallace said.

"And Jen Psaki, I think, is one of the best press secretaries ever," he continued. "I don't know that anything was particularly accomplished, but they both gave and got pretty good."

Chris Wallace: "Jen Psaki is one of the best press secretaries ever"TURN OFF FOX NEWS. https://t.co/QJIqSvGYfY

— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) 1634928677.0

What was the reaction?

Reaction to Wallace's complement of Psaki was mixed. Supporters of the Biden administration said they agreed with the declaration, but critics of the Biden administration condemned Wallace.

  • "TURN OFF FOX NEWS," ACTforAmerica founder Brigitte Gabriel said.
  • "Chris Wallace called Jen Psaki one of the best press secretaries ever.And he's 100% correct!" another person said.
  • "Today I learned that Chris Wallace has never seen a White House press briefing before today since he thinks Jen Psaki is the best Press Secretary he's ever seen.Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even activists posing as journalists, but that is a bold statement," one person said.
  • "lol. all the magas are crying and hating on Chris Wallace because he called Jen Psaki one of the best press secretaries ever. He's right and they know it. She handles the idiots like Doocy with ease," another person said.
  • "Chris Wallace, @FoxNewsSunday, you're a clown," Sebastian Gorka said.
  • "According to Fox News Chris Wallace, Jen Psaki is one of the best press secretaries ever. I'm not surprised he said that. He's a Democrat protecting his fellow Democrat," another person said.

Wallace has also sparred with Psaki, grilling her in March over allegations the Biden administration was blocking media from documenting the border crisis.

Report: Taliban making demands, holding 'hostage' Americans and others cleared to leave Afghanistan



American citizens left behind in Afghanistan are reportedly being held "hostage" by the Taliban, who purportedly are seeking "more out of Americans" before releasing planes that have permission to land in Qatar.

What are the details?

CBS News correspondent Eena Ruffini reported Sunday that "multiple flights are being held on the ground at the Mazar-i-Sharif airport in Northern Afghanistan... by the Taliban."

An email sent by the State Department to members of Congress reportedly explained the flights held by the Taliban have permission to land in Doha, Qatar — but only "if and when the Taliban agrees to takeoff."

An email from the State Department to members of congress -- and viewed by CBS -- acknowledged that charter fligh… https://t.co/YBT6jESHu2

— Ruffini (@EenaRuffini) 1630853685.0

"The Taliban is basically holding them hostage to get more out of the Americans," a congressional source told CBS News.

More from Ruffini:

The group Ascend, an NGO that teaches young women leadership through athletics, told CBS News they have two planes that have been waiting for six days ready to take between 600 and 1200 people -- including 19 American citizens and two permanent residents.

"The U.S. airfield in Qatar that has been standing by, ready to receive, is now beginning to pack up," Marina LeGree, the executive director, told CBS News. "We hope visibility will add pressure to force a solution. Six days of talks are not encouraging."

The State Department advised members of Congress to tell groups seeking to evacuate out of Mazar-i-Sharif that the US does not have personnel on the ground in that location and does not control the airspace. Congressional and NGO sources say here are at least two physical plans on the ground and six more with approved clearance. The obstacle is the Taliban — which controls the airport and is not letting people board or the planes take off.

Anything else?

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, confirmed CBS News' reporting.

During an interview on "Fox News Sunday," McCaul described the situation as a hostage crisis.

"In fact we have six airplanes at Mazar-i-Sharif airport, six airplanes, with American citizens on them as I speak, also with these interpreters, and the Taliban is holding them hostage for demands right now," McCaul explained.

"State has cleared these flights, and the Taliban will not let them leave the airport," he added.

When pressed by show host Chris Wallace what demands the Taliban is making, McCaul cited money and diplomatic legitimacy as two possibilities, but did not offer specifics.

"This is really, Chris, turning into a hostage situation where they're not gonna allow American citizens to leave until they get full recognition from the United States of America," McCaul said, adding that he fears the Biden administration may grant the Taliban legitimacy and recognize them as the official government of Afghanistan.

STUCK ON PLANES: @RepMcCaul says Americans and Afghan interpreters have been held hostage by the Taliban for days a… https://t.co/owLAtj85u5

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) 1630850804.0