Progressive Outcry Over ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts’ Meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough recently clarified their intentions behind their visit with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. They emphasized that the meeting was not intended to “normalize” Trump, who has been described by his own former chief of staff as likely to rule dictatorially.
However, Trump’s subsequent comments to the media highlighted the risks of perceiving the president-elect as just another political figure with differing views. During a conversation with Fox News, Trump described his interaction with Brzezinski and Scarborough—whom he had previously socialized with and later labeled “crazy” and a “psycho” following critical coverage—as “extremely cordial.” Yet, he followed this by issuing a cautionary note.
Trump expressed to Fox that he sees it as his duty to be accessible and transparent with the press, stating, “If not treated fairly, however, that will end. The media is very important to the long-term success of the United States of America.”
He also utilized the moment to showcase Brzezinski and Scarborough’s visit, which the progressive news outlet The Tennessee Holler referred to as “ring-kissing,” claiming the hosts lavished him with excessive praise.
Criticism wasn’t limited to The Tennessee Holler. Krystal Ball, co-host of the online show “Breaking Points,” accused the MSNBC hosts of enabling fascism and then going to Mar-a-Lago to metaphorically “kiss the ring.”
Despite previously warning that Trump was a danger to democracy and accusing him of harmful deceit during his term, Brzezinski and Scarborough have faced criticism from the progressive side, including from figures like Ball who argue that the Democratic Party should focus more on appealing to working-class voters rather than aligning with anti-Trump figures like Liz Cheney.
Hosts Defend Their Meeting with Trump
On their show, Brzezinski addressed the critics by asking rhetorically, “Why wouldn’t we go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us?” She indicated that it was time for a new approach which included not just talking about Trump but also talking with him.
Scarborough added that their discussion with Trump touched on contentious topics like abortion, mass deportation, and political retribution against opponents and the media. He noted that Trump appeared open to finding common ground with Democrats on some of these divisive issues.
The hosts also suggested that Trump’s stance on the media has shifted since the election, recalling times when he had referred to journalists as “the enemy” and had been indifferent to the potential for violence against reporters at his events.
Ryan Grim of Drop Site News humorously commented on social media that the meeting revealed the hosts as “resistance commanders” who turned out to be “collaborating double agents from the beginning.”
Journalistic Perspectives on Trump’s Media Engagement
While Brzezinski and Scarborough believe it’s time for a new approach in media relations with the president-elect, Julianne McShane of Mother Jones pointed out the longstanding difficulty journalists have had in securing interviews with Trump. She noted that he declined several interview requests from major networks during his campaign, preferring instead to speak with right-wing male podcasters.
McShane emphasized that if Trump and his team are genuinely committed to respecting the press, they need to engage earnestly and respectfully, rather than continuing to denigrate the media.
Will Bunch, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, expressed concern that the capitulation shown by Brzezinski and Scarborough is indicative of broader challenges that journalists and critics of Trump may face under his administration.
Additionally, veteran journalist Jeff Jarvis sharply criticized the Mar-a-Lago meeting as a betrayal of journalistic integrity, democracy, and the public trust, calling it “a disgusting show of obeisance in advance.”
As Trump prepares to take office, Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s advice rings particularly relevant: “Do. Not. Obey. In. Advance.”
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