MSNBC morning show hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, known for their strong criticism of President-Elect Donald Trump, recently made a journey to Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with him aimed at fostering open channels of communication that would ultimately benefit their morning show audience.
This visit comes amid lingering tensions just two weeks post-election, resulting in mixed reactions from both fans and critics of “Morning Joe.” The pairing had previously voiced serious critiques of Trump, with Scarborough even suggesting in September that “it’s not a reach” to liken him to Hitler. In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Trump last summer, MSNBC decided to pull the show from the air.
During their latest airing, the hosts disclosed that they had reached out to Trump before their meeting, which took place the following day in Florida. Brzezinski mentioned that this encounter was the first they had shared in seven years, remarking that Trump appeared “cheerful, upbeat,” despite discussions that highlighted their disagreements.
She noted their shared commitment to rekindling dialogue. Drawing inspiration from her late father, Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served as national security adviser under Jimmy Carter and often engaged with leaders he disagreed with, she emphasized that it’s also a responsibility for journalists and commentators to engage in meaningful conversation.
In response to critics questioning the timing and choice to speak with Trump, Brzezinski posed a rhetorical question: “Why wouldn’t we?” Trump later affirmed the meeting during an interview with Fox News Digital, expressing gratitude for their willingness to maintain open lines of communication and suggesting it should have happened much earlier.
However, not everyone welcomed this development. On “The View,” co-host Sunny Hostin insisted that a free press should confront power and believed traveling to Florida for such a meeting was unnecessary. Journalism educator and author Jeff Jarvis criticized the meeting online, calling it “a disgusting show of obeisance in advance.” Some conservative commentators echoed the sentiment, with talk show host Buck Sexton asserting on social media that Trump’s victory had led “Morning Joe” to fully surrender, and veteran figure Greta Van Susteren labeling the meeting as “groveling.”
“Morning Joe,” mirroring a trend observed with other MSNBC programs, has faced a decline in ratings following the election, as its liberal demographic appears to be taking a break— a pattern seen in previous elections when supporters of losing candidates often step back temporarily before returning.
Following the show, neither Scarborough nor Brzezinski were available for additional comments, according to a statement from the network. Scarborough seemed to anticipate the backlash that would follow their decision, making it clear that their goal was not to normalize or defend Trump, but rather to offer insights regarding his actions.
In the same Fox News interview, Trump articulated that he had a responsibility to be open with the American public and the press, indicating that he would cease this openness if not treated fairly.
