The left is eating themselves.
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have sparked a wave of backlash after revealing that they met with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate last week. This surprising development comes after years of harsh criticism from the two hosts, who frequently referred to Trump as a “fascist” and even compared him to Adolf Hitler.
Scarborough and Brzezinski, long-time critics of Trump, admitted they met privately with the Republican leader to “restart communications” after his re-election. Their decision to seek a meeting with Trump just weeks after calling him a threat to democracy raised eyebrows and ignited accusations of hypocrisy.
Republican strategist Scott Jennings quipped on X (formerly Twitter), “Hitler getting a lot more meeting requests than I would’ve thought,” highlighting the absurdity of the situation given the extreme language used by the anchors in the past. Byron York, Chief Political Correspondent for the Washington Examiner, also weighed in, pointing out the timing of the meeting—just 22 days after Trump’s controversial rally, which the hosts had denounced as “Nazi-like.”
Critics across the political spectrum were quick to accuse Scarborough and Brzezinski of hypocrisy, questioning their integrity and motivations. One user on X wrote, “Once again… Democrats have never really thought Donald Trump was Adolf Hitler or a fascist. If you were propagandized, it’s ok. You got tricked.” Another pointed out the absurdity of watching the same hosts who warned of Trump’s supposed threats to democracy now seeking his approval. “Imagine being a liberal and listening to Morning Joe for years, only to hear them admit they bent the knee to Trump,” one user remarked.
Some speculated that Scarborough and Brzezinski’s about-face was driven by declining viewership and a desperate attempt to salvage their careers. “They went because their network is down 50% in viewership and is on the verge of being sold,” one commenter claimed. Others suggested the meeting was little more than a “hostage video,” with the anchors trying to appease Trump to protect their jobs and influence.
In the aftermath of their announcement, Scarborough defended the meeting, insisting that their goal was not to “normalize” Trump but to report on him in a way that would “better equip all of us in understanding these deeply unsettling times.” However, many felt the damage was done. Viewers expressed their disappointment, with one tweeting, “Gutted by Joe and Mika today. Total capitulation after so many years of complaining about his lack of fitness.”
The incident has reignited debate over the mainstream media’s treatment of Trump and further fueled skepticism about the media’s credibility. For many, it was yet another example of the political elite saying one thing publicly and acting quite differently behind closed doors.
As MSNBC faces mounting criticism, the question remains: will their audience continue to trust their judgment, or has this sudden pivot irreparably damaged their credibility?