Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski’s recent visit to Mar-a-Lago has managed to unite pundits across the ideological spectrum—though not in the way the Morning Joe co-hosts might have anticipated. The couple’s decision to meet privately with Donald Trump at his Palm Beach estate has set off a whirlwind of criticism and commentary.
On Monday’s Morning Joe, Brzezinski and Scarborough shared the details of their meeting, attempting to frame it as a chance to “restart communications” between the media and the incoming administration. For many, however, the optics of the encounter—given their past harsh criticisms of Trump—have overshadowed their stated goal of bridging the divide.
For years, Morning Joe has been a central hub for the liberal-leaning media’s criticism of Trump. Throughout his presidency and beyond, Scarborough and Brzezinski were among the most vocal detractors of Trump’s rhetoric, his policies, and his leadership style. The show regularly referred to Trump as “authoritarian,” “fascist,” and even compared him to Hitler.
But on Monday, Brzezinski and Scarborough portrayed their visit as an opportunity to reset relations, noting that they hadn’t spoken with Trump in seven years and that many Americans were “scared” and “dismayed” by his cabinet selections during the transition. Scarborough detailed a broad-ranging conversation during their 90-minute meeting, covering topics like abortion, mass deportation, political retribution, and the role of the media. This was framed not as an endorsement but as an effort to engage in “dialogue” with the soon-to-be president of the United States.
The media’s reaction to Scarborough and Brzezinski’s Mar-a-Lago visit has been swift and scathing from all corners of the political spectrum.
The media’s reaction to Scarborough and Brzezinski’s Mar-a-Lago visit has been swift and scathing from all corners of the political spectrum. For Trump’s staunchest supporters, the visit was seen as an act of hypocrisy—proof that the MSNBC hosts who consistently described Trump as a grave threat to American democracy–knew he wasn’t what they claimed he was, and their hysteria was feigned for ratings.
Prominent figures from Trump’s media orbit, such as former White House advisors and loyal surrogates, were quick to decry the visit, accusing Scarborough and Brzezinski of betraying their espoused values or seeking a political payoff. Many felt that the hosts, were now willing to sit down with him and normalize his behavior. Keith Olbermann, a former MSNBC host known for his outspoken critiques of Trump, mocked the meeting as a calculated attempt to gain access to the next president—at the cost of compromising journalistic integrity.
Notable dissent came from The View’s Sunny Hostin, who remarked that there was no need for Scarborough and Brzezinski to “kiss his ring” to be able to cover Trump fairly. Hostin insisted that Trump had ushered in the era of “fake news” and that journalists had an obligation to hold him accountable without appearing to cozy up to him.
I am from Florida and in my opinion they are scum.
What vermin, I hope Trump buried them!!!
Left side hypocrites at the highest level. 7 years of gushing baseless profanities and now that their jobs may be on the line they want to kiss and make up. We’re not that stupid nor is Trump. These trolls need to go find a bridge to live under because they wasted whatever trust they thought they had. They are only qualified to deliver coffee to REAL journalists. I’m betting they can screw that up too.