Morning Joe Hosts Meet with Trump to ‘Restart Communications’ Amid Fierce Backlash
Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, prominent hosts of MSNBC’s liberal-leaning Morning Joe, revealed on Monday that they met with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss “a new approach” and to “restart communications.” The meeting, which occurred three days earlier, marked their first in-person conversation with Trump in seven years.
Scarborough described the encounter on Monday’s broadcast, calling it an opportunity to address contentious issues such as “abortion, mass deportation, threats of … retribution against political opponents and media outlets.” He acknowledged they “didn’t see eye-to-eye” with Trump on many topics but emphasized the importance of reopening dialogue.
Brzezinski echoed the sentiment, stating: “Why wouldn’t we meet with him?” She highlighted the critical issues discussed, including Trump’s rhetoric and the January 6 Capitol attack, while acknowledging that Trump’s reelection highlighted the need for direct engagement.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump characterized the meeting as “very positive,” claiming the hosts had congratulated him on his campaign victory. Scarborough clarified that the meeting was initiated by the Morning Joe duo to convey their “deep concerns” about Trump’s presidency and policies.
Liberal Outrage Over the MeetingThe revelation sparked immediate backlash from MSNBC viewers and liberal commentators, many of whom accused Brzezinski and Scarborough of legitimizing Trump’s controversial presidency. Fellow MSNBC host Katie Phang tweeted: “Normalizing Trump is a bad idea. Period.”
Journalism professor Jeff Jarvis lambasted the move as a “betrayal [of] their colleagues, democracy, and us all.” Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann denounced Scarborough as “the worst person I’ve ever encountered in this business,” labeling the network “Vichy MSNBC,” a reference to the French regime that collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II.
One social media user encapsulated the outrage: “In other words, Joe and Mika went to see the king at his castle, and they bent the knee.”
Trump’s Third Term Speculation
Scarborough also addressed growing rumors of Trump’s interest in pursuing a third term. He cited a source close to Trump who insisted the president-elect would not defy the U.S. Constitution. These remarks followed reports that Trump allegedly joked to House members about running again if Congress deemed him “so good” that he deserved another term.
“This is a president who is not seeking re-election,” Scarborough stated, urging bipartisan leaders to find “common ground if possible.”
Bridging Divides or Sowing Division?
Despite the criticism, Brzezinski and Scarborough defended their decision, framing it as a journalistic responsibility to engage directly with the president-elect. Brzezinski explained: “Joe and I realized it’s time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump but also with him.”
Scarborough, a former Florida congressman who left the Republican Party over disagreements with Trump, emphasized that the meeting was not about “defending or normalizing” Trump but about understanding “these deeply unsettling times.”
The Morning Joe hosts have long had a contentious relationship with Trump. During his first term, Trump frequently targeted the pair, calling Scarborough “crazy” and Brzezinski “dumb as a rock.” Their decision to reengage with Trump could signal a shift in strategy, though it has left their audience divided.
As Trump prepares for his second inauguration, this meeting highlights the challenges media figures face in navigating the president-elect’s polarizing return to power. It remains to be seen how this encounter will shape Morning Joe’s future coverage of Trump and his administration.