The recent meeting between President-elect Donald Trump and “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski at Mar-a-Lago has drawn sharp criticism from other media personalities. Some have even called for boycotts of the MSNBC show.
The meeting on November 15, 2024 sparked controversy as it was the first meeting between the hosts and Trump in seven years. Scarborough and Brzezinski had previously criticized Trump during his successful 2024 presidential campaign. They faced significant backlash due to their past portrayal of Trump as a “dark, dismal fascist—and increasingly obviously fascist—person.”
Journalist Glenn Greenwald was particularly critical, labeling Scarborough and Brzezinski as “the most humiliating and pathetic people in all of the corporate media.” Greenwald speculated that their meeting was an attempt to “reestablish a relationship with the fascist dictator Donald Trump to get him back on their show.”
According to insiders, fear could have influenced the hosts’ decision to meet with Trump. CNN reported that Scarborough and Brzezinski were concerned about potential governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration.
The criticism was not limited to external figures, as MSNBC contributor Jennifer Rubin advocated for a boycott of “Morning Joe,” labeling the meeting as “disgusting.”
Co-hosts of “The View,” Ana Navarro and Sunny Hostin, also voiced their disapproval, questioning the journalistic integrity of Scarborough and Brzezinski and suggesting the meeting was opportunistic.
Scarborough defended the meeting, highlighting that social media reactions did not represent the broader public sentiment. He underscored the contrast between online criticism and the supportive feedback he and Brzezinski received through numerous positive phone calls from around the globe.
Trump disclosed that the meeting covered various topics and appreciated the hosts’ commitment to open communication. He expressed regret that such a dialogue had not been initiated much earlier.
However, the meeting seems to have impacted “Morning Joe” negatively, with reports indicating a decline in ratings as its liberal audience appears to have taken a break post-election. This trend is similar to previous years when viewers supporting the losing party temporarily tuned out.
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly and ex-MSNBC host Keith Olbermann also criticized Scarborough and Brzezinski. Kelly accused them of “dishonesty and ‘faux journalism'” due to their apparent shift in attitude towards Trump.
Trump, who had previously targeted the hosts with derogatory nicknames such as “Crazy Mika” and “Psycho Joe,” signaled his intention to hold more meetings with media figures, including those who have been “extremely hostile.” He stressed, however, that fair treatment would be a requirement for ongoing communication.
