Staff Reports
The co-hosts of “Morning Joe” have bravely stepped into the media crosshairs after their controversial visit to Mar-a-Lago, and they seem to think just a sprinkle of justification may douse the fire of criticism. In an episode packed with self-justification, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski attempted to defend their tête-à-tête with Donald Trump against swipes from disapproving articles, insisting that the coverage was simply fabricated nonsense akin to a bad soap opera plot.
Scarborough insisted that their previous criticisms of Trump, where he often likened him to a “fascist,” didn’t matter in the grand scheme of journalism. According to him, playing footsie with the man he spent years scolding makes perfect sense because, well, that’s just what reporters do. Apparently, having “off-the-record” chats with those deemed “bad people” is all part of a grand journalistic tradition that only the best reporters, like Scarborough himself, can navigate.
The highlight of Scarborough’s defense included a self-styled revelation that being “transparent” with the audience is their noble mission. So thoughtful of them! Unlike other media that swoop down on any story like vultures, these two claimed they let the public know they were meeting the former president, all while enabling vague memories of past hatred. Scarborough offered an insightful, albeit perplexing, notion that one can simultaneously criticize someone while still cozying up to them for a “read of the man.” Apparently, rationalizing contradictory stances is a new art form among liberal media elites.
MSNBC’s Morning Joe continues to defend Mar-a-Lago visit amid backlash https://t.co/Qicgb36V79
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 6, 2024
Right on cue, in a stunning display of cognitive dissonance, they vented their spleens at commentator David Frum for having the audacity to critique their frolic with Trump. This prompted the ever-charming Brzezinski to take a jab back when Frum joked about a potential defense secretary’s alleged bad habits. Because when one’s personal choices come into question, the best approach is to divert attention through outrage, right?
Unsurprisingly, not everyone seemed thrilled about their little escapade. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell declared her intent to boycott “Morning Joe” following the couple’s Mar-a-Lago rendezvous, branding the duo as “despicable” for what she framed as a feeble attempt to placate the Trump reign. It’s fascinating how one visit can elicit grudges strong enough to warrant a vow of silence from Hollywood talking heads. Meanwhile, MSNBC, still lumbering in the wake of its parent company’s shake-up, prepares for a transformation that may see more than just Scarborough and Brzezinski’s credibility at stake, urging viewers to stay tuned for a new era of entertainment masquerading as news.
