Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the hosts of Morning Joe, reportedly held a secret meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, sparking backlash and speculation about their motives. Sources claim the meeting was driven by fears that Trump might enlist Rep. Matt Gaetz to spearhead an investigation into conspiracy theories surrounding the 2001 death of Lori Klausutis, a former intern of Scarborough’s.
Trump and Gaetz Fuel Long-Debunked Claims
Klausutis, who worked in Scarborough’s Florida congressional office, died in 2001 after collapsing due to an undiagnosed heart condition and striking her head. Despite the medical findings ruling out foul play, Trump has repeatedly suggested Scarborough was involved in her death, fueling conspiracy theories that Gaetz has reportedly shown interest in pursuing.
A source close to Scarborough and Brzezinski told Puck that the meeting was not about bolstering ratings but was instead motivated by fear of retribution and potential political fallout. “This wasn’t about Comcast or viewers,” the source said. “It was about avoiding an investigation.”
Backlash Mounts Amid Ratings Decline
The revelation of the meeting has only added to Morning Joe’s struggles, with critics accusing the duo of pandering to conservatives to salvage plummeting viewership. Scarborough and Brzezinski defended their decision, citing a desire to engage directly with Trump on key issues such as political retribution and media freedom.
Staffers for the show reportedly believe the meeting was “worth it” despite the backlash. Trump, for his part, told Fox News that maintaining open dialogue with the media is crucial to “Making America Great Again.”
Conspiracy Resurfaces During 2024 Campaign
The renewed attention to Klausutis’ death comes as the January 6 hearings revealed testimony from Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House communications director. Griffin claimed Gaetz had compiled conspiracy theories about Scarborough, which he shared with Trump. Scarborough has publicly voiced concerns that Trump intends to weaponize the story as part of his political agenda.
Trump’s past allegations prompted Klausutis’ widower, Timothy Klausutis, to plead with Twitter in 2020 to remove Trump’s tweets, describing the accusations as deeply painful for his family. Despite these pleas, Trump continued to push the theory, referring to Scarborough as “Psycho Joe” and calling for a reopened investigation.
Morning Joe’s Tumultuous History with Trump
The relationship between Trump and the Morning Joe hosts has been fraught. Once an ally during Trump’s 2016 campaign, Scarborough became one of his harshest critics during his presidency, labeling Trump a “racist” and a “fascist” on-air. Trump retaliated with personal attacks and conspiracy theories, further straining relations.
As Scarborough and Brzezinski face mounting criticism over their Mar-a-Lago meeting, the controversy underscores the continued tensions between the media and Trump’s political influence. The Klausutis conspiracy remains a focal point in this ongoing battle, threatening to resurface as a political weapon in Trump’s 2024 campaign.
