MSNBC “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski met with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for the first time in seven years to restart communications, despite their history of publicly criticizing him. The meeting, which was held over the weekend and announced publicly during the show’s Monday morning broadcast, has sparked backlash, with critics accusing the hosts of hypocrisy given their past statements comparing Trump to fascist leaders.
Trump independently confirmed to Fox News that the meeting had been “extremely cordial,” adding that the two leftist hosts had “congratulated me on running a ‘great and flawless campaign, one for the history books,’ which I really believe it was, but it was also a campaign where I worked long and hard — perhaps longer and harder than any presidential candidate in history.”
“We talked about various Cabinet members — both announced and to be announced. As expected, they like some very much, but not all,” Trump continued. “The meeting ended in a very positive manner, and we agreed to speak in the future.”
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Addressing the “Morning Joe” audience, Brzezinski justified the meeting by emphasizing the need to find common ground and not only talk about Trump but also with him, especially in the current divisive political climate. However, she expressed considerable concerns about Trump’s cabinet picks, saying that “they are scary.”
Joe and Mika went to Mar a Lago to talk with Trump over the weekend. First face-to-face meeting in seven years. "We didn't see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues and we told him so," @JoeNBC says. "What we did agree on – was to restart communications," @morningmika says. pic.twitter.com/lyWZWK4CwX
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 18, 2024
Despite not agreeing on many issues, Scarborough noted Trump’s interest in dialogue, while Brzezinski described him as cheerful and open to discussions on divisive topics like abortion and immigration. The hosts have committed to maintaining their critical stance on Trump while attempting to bridge communication gaps.
Trump likewise expressed openness to media communications, citing his “obligation to the American public, and to our country itself, to be open and available to the press”–but with the added caveat that “if [he’s] not treated fairly … that will end.”
“The media is very important to the long-term success of the United States of America,” he said. “And while many others are calling for meetings, I am not looking for retribution, grandstanding or to destroy people who treated me very unfairly, or even badly beyond comprehension. I am always looking to give a second and even third chance, but never willing to give a fourth chance — that is where I hold the line.”
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