A surprising reunion between MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-hosts and former President Donald Trump has sparked controversy within the network's ranks.
According to Fox News, MSNBC employees are expressing strong disapproval of Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski's recent Mar-a-Lago meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, with some staff members describing the encounter as "disgusting but frankly unsurprising."
The meeting marked the first face-to-face interaction between the morning show hosts and Trump in seven years, representing a significant shift in their relationship. During the encounter, they discussed various controversial topics, including abortion, mass deportation, and concerns about threats against political opponents and media outlets. The co-hosts emphasized that the meeting aimed to "restart communications" amid the current political climate.
MSNBC employees have voiced their criticisms both internally and on social media platforms. One network insider shared their perspective with Fox News Digital, characterizing the meeting as an act of cowardice. The employee emphasized that the network's rank and file have become largely disdainful of the morning show hosts.
MSNBC contributor Jennifer Rubin took to Bluesky to express her disapproval, while host Katie Phang indirectly criticized the meeting on X. The internal resistance has raised concerns about potential viewer backlash, with some audiences already calling for a network boycott.
Another network source defended the meeting's objectives, suggesting that the criticism seemed curious given that the hosts challenged Trump during their conversation. They emphasized the importance of addressing concerns about threats against journalists and politicians.
Scarborough anticipated the negative reaction and addressed it during Monday's broadcast. He shared with viewers:
We're not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump. We're here to report on him and to hopefully provide you insights that are going to better equip all of us in understanding these deeply unsettling times.
Brzezinski also defended their decision to meet with Trump, explaining their rationale to viewers. She emphasized the need for different approaches to addressing the nation's political division. She highlighted that for nearly 80 million Americans, issues like election denialism and January 6 were less significant than other factors that influenced their support for Trump.
Trump himself characterized the meeting as "extremely cordial" in an interview with Fox News Digital. He explained that the meeting occurred at Scarborough's request and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to establish open communication channels.
The controversial meeting represents a significant shift in the dynamic between the MSNBC hosts and Trump, particularly given their previous role as fierce critics during his presidency. This dramatic change follows their earlier friendly relationship during the 2016 Republican primary.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges media organizations face in covering Trump as he heads toward another presidential election. Many journalists and media personalities struggle to balance professional obligations with concerns about normalizing controversial political figures.
The situation has created tension within MSNBC, with parent company Comcast's reaction remaining unclear. The network must now navigate the delicate balance between maintaining journalistic integrity and managing internal discord.
The controversial Mar-a-Lago meeting between MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-hosts and President-elect Donald Trump has created significant tension within the network, with staff members openly criticizing the decision. The encounter, their first in seven years, included discussions about various political issues and represented an attempt to restart communications. As MSNBC grapples with internal discord and potential viewer backlash, the network faces crucial decisions about its approach to political coverage in the months ahead.
