Topic: Inaugural Address

The return of daily White House press briefings under Jen Psaki is discussed. The hosts debunk the media claim that Biden's failure to mention Trump in his inaugural address was an "elegant rebuke," noting that it is standard historical practice for incoming presidents not to mention their predecessors by name during the speech.

Joe Biden claimed during the debate that George Washington warned against foreign interference in his first speech as president. A fact check of Washington's 1789 inaugural address shows no mention of the words "foreign," "intervention," or "interference." The actual speech focused on religious guidance and the "invisible hand" of providence.

Rachel Maddow described Donald Trump's inaugural speech as "workman-like," "militant," and "dark." She focused on his use of the phrase "American carnage" to describe gangs and drugs, noting that such rhetoric is unprecedented for an incoming president.