Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, hosts of the ‘Morning Joe’ program, surprised everyone this Monday when they reported that they had met with the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. The two hosts have been known for being some of the main critics against the new president, sparking controversy among thousands of users and viewers who now question their previous stance and claim they will no longer watch their TV show. Additionally, there is speculation about whether the Republican will adopt a new approach by meeting with his staunchest critics.
The couple is one of the most repudiated by right-wing media, and although in recent years they have shown opposition to Trump, it was not always like that. Joe and Mika appeared as friends of the president in 2015, before he won his first presidential term. Their relationship was so close that CNN labeled 'Morning Joe' as a "supporter" of Trump, so later, the pair of presenters intensified their stance against him, asserting that they were indeed critical. "Weizing has been very critical of his approach towards Muslims, we said he went too far with John McCain, we said he went too far with you whatever," said Joe.
The aforementioned outlet recalled that in 2017, Trump invited Scarborough and Brzezinski to have lunch at the White House and they left after an argument. "He yelled at me after lunch, because we were being so tough (on Trump)," he said.
"We are not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump"
When they made the announcement this Monday through 'Morning Joe', on MSNBC, Joe preempted criticism for his meeting with Trump, saying that "we are not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump... We are here to report on him and, hopefully, provide information, understand these deeply unsettling times".
Although they did not reveal what they discussed with the new elected president, Mika described him as "cheerful, optimistic," and as someone who "seemed interested in finding common ground with Democrats on some of the most divisive issues."
Along with her husband Joe, the host emphasized that "we realized it's time to do something different, and that begins not only by talking about Donald Trump, but by talking to him."
Fear of reprisals from the Trump administration?
CNN also presented revelations from two anonymous informants who claimed that the hosts met with Trump out of "fear of retaliation." "According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Scarborough and Brzezinski were credibly concerned that they could face governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration," the aforementioned media outlet stated.
As is well known, MSNBC has portrayed the new leader as a probable "dictator." Therefore, they do not rule out that other presenters may also fear reprisals.
Allegedly, Scarborough and Brzezinski stepped forward for the meeting in response to the threats from the new president towards his political opponents. They fear that he may use his governmental powers to punish them.
It is said that everything is in turmoil at MSNBC due to the meeting of the hosts with the Republican. Supposedly, there are feelings both against and in favor.
"Normalizing Trump is a bad idea," posted lawyer and MSNBC host Katie Phang on her social media.