Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, defended his and co-host Mika Brzezinski’s meeting with President-elect Donald Trump after facing online criticism. Scarborough shared that despite backlash on social media, they received overwhelming support from others.
“Yesterday, we saw how much of a disconnect there was between social media and the real world,” Scarborough said on-air, adding they were “inundated with positive calls” from people globally.
The Meeting
The meeting took place last Friday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence and was described as a way to “reboot” communication with the incoming president. Scarborough and Brzezinski reportedly raised concerns about Trump’s attacks on the media, but news of their conversation sparked sharp criticism online.
Critic Jeff Jarvis called the meeting a betrayal, writing on social media that it was “a disgusting display of obedience in advance.”
Support and Criticism
MSNBC personality Al Sharpton defended the hosts, saying, “He’s going to be president. If you can meet him, meet him.” Sharpton added that he hoped Scarborough addressed the lack of diversity in Trump’s cabinet appointments.
Trump, for his part, characterized the meeting as positive. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he said, “I really appreciated the fact that they wanted to have open communication. In many ways, it’s a shame it wasn’t done a long time ago.” He reiterated his belief in the importance of free and fair media, though he warned that if he feels treated unfairly, he might stop engaging with the press.
Trump also hinted at being open to meeting with other critics but noted, “I am not seeking retaliation or destroying those who have treated me unfairly. I’m willing to give second or third chances, but never a fourth.”
Media Reaction
The meeting raised eyebrows among journalists and commentators, with many questioning whether MSNBC was trying to gain favor with Trump.
On CNN’s NewsNight, John Berman joked about the meeting, saying it was treated as though it were “the summit of Yalta,” referring to the historic World War II conference.
The Bigger Picture
While Scarborough defended the meeting as an opportunity for dialogue, the controversy highlights the challenges media outlets face when engaging with a president-elect who has been a vocal critic of the press. As Trump’s presidency approaches, the relationship between the media and his administration will likely remain under scrutiny.