Eric Trump plans to sue Jen Psaki, MS NOW for alleged 'blatant lies' about him joining father's China trip
Psaki responds to Trump legal threat on Friday show
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Eric Trump said he plans to sue MS NOW and its primetime host Jen Psaki for what he called "blatant lies" she said about him regarding his recent trip to China alongside his father, President Donald Trump, leading to a sharp report from Psaki on her program Friday.
During a monologue on Wednesday, Psaki put a spotlight on the president's adult son joining him despite him not having a government job and that "supposedly" he was firewalled by the administration to prevent potential conflicts of interest as he and his brother Donald Trump Jr. have taken over the family business.
Psaki read off statements from the White House insisting there wasn't a conflict of interest, and a statement from Eric Trump's spokesperson said he was joining his father in a personal capacity and that he would not be involved in any business meetings and doesn't have any business ties with China.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Now, that is quite an interesting denial given this piece in the Financial Times out just today," a skeptical Psaki reacted before reading the headline, "Eric Trump joins Beijing trip as family-linked group chases China deal."
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MS NOW host Jen Psaki strongly suggested Eric Trump joined his father's China trip for financial reasons despite denials from him and the White House. (Screenshot/MS NOW)
According to the report, Eric Trump was labeled an "observer" to the board of fintech company ALT5 Sigma last year. ALT5 Sigma has financial ties to the Trump family's crypto business and is currently exploring a deal with a Chinese chip manufacturer as ALT5 Sigma pursues building AI data centers in the U.S.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, in her monologue, Psaki said that Eric Trump "sits on the board" of the ALT5 Sigma and pointed to him and his brother ringing the Nasdaq bell on behalf of the company.
"It certainly seems like Eric might be getting a little bit more than just quality time with his dad out of this China trip, doesn't it?" Psaki said before listing other "sketchy ways" she claims he and his brother Donald Trump Jr. are profiting from the administration.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Eric Trump and wife Laura Trump joined President Donald Trump on his trip to China. (Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press)
On Friday, Eric Trump announced his intention to sue Psaki and MS NOW.
"Contrary to her monolog [sic] and blatant lies, I have NEVER been on the board of ALT5 — not now, not ever. Any person with basic access to Google and willing to open a company’s annual report or proxy statements would know this," Trump wrote on X. "I have had zero involvement in any merger discussions involving any public entity I do not run or control. I have zero business interests in China. No properties, no investments, nothing!"
He continued, "I joined this trip for one reason: as a loving son who adores my father and wouldn’t miss being by his side for this incredible moment. During the bilateral talks, @LaraLeaTrump and I went to the Great Wall of China. More to come…"
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Eric Trump said he plans to sue MS NOW and host Jen Psaki for what he called the "blatant lies" she stated about his recent trip to China with his father. (Romain Maurice/Getty Images)
On Friday night, Psaki responded to Eric Trump's X post by doubling down on his alleged ties to ALT5 Sigma. She resurfaced a clip from August from his appearance at Nasdaq, where he was introduced as a "director" of the company and was separately referenced as a "fellow board member."
Psaki also cited an SEC filing showing he was being appointed to the board of directors. She acknowledged that Eric Trump is now an "observer" of the board, arguing while he may not have voting power, he's still able to attend board meetings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}She also stressed ALT5 Sigma's multimillion-dollar ties to Trump's crypto venture and the company's current efforts to court the CCP-linked chip manufacturer.
"Now, to be as fair as possible to Eric, I should say that his role at Alt Five is that, at the very least, [it's] been complicated," Psaki said.
"Eric, of course, says that he has no business interests in China at all, and that he joined his dad's official trip there for one reason, and one reason alone, as a loving son who adores his dad. I'll let you be the judge," she later added.
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Note: This article was updated with Psaki's response on her program Friday night.