Joe Scarborough Fires Back at Critics Saying He Fears Trump: ‘I’ll Run My Show My Way

On Thursday, MSNBC’s Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski strongly defended themselves in a 20-minute opening segment after receiving sharp criticism from Atlantic writer David Frum. The disagreement began the day before, when Frum made a controversial comment on the show about Pete Hegseth, former Fox News host and defense secretary nominee. Frum’s joke referenced allegations of Hegseth’s heavy drinking, which had reportedly raised concerns among colleagues at Fox News and veteran organizations he once led.

Frum quipped, “If you’re too drunk for Fox News, you’re very, very drunk indeed.” While some might have taken it as humor, the comment was quickly called out by Morning Joe producers. After the segment ended, co-host Mika Brzezinski addressed it on air, describing the joke as “flippant” and unnecessary.

Frum later wrote an article in The Atlantic, accusing Morning Joe of apologizing out of “fear” of President-elect Donald Trump. He claimed that Brzezinski’s statement was evidence of MSNBC being intimidated by Trump and catering to his supporters. Frum argued that the network’s reaction showed a willingness to appease rather than uphold journalistic standards.

On Thursday, Scarborough and Brzezinski hit back at Frum’s accusations. Opening the show, Scarborough dismissed the notion that Brzezinski’s remarks were an apology or a sign of fear. “The sound of fear? That wasn’t the sound of fear, that was the sound of civility,” Scarborough declared. He explained that calling out the joke was about maintaining professionalism and fairness, not bowing to external pressures. Brzezinski also stood by her decision, emphasizing that the joke was inappropriate for the context of the discussion.

Scarborough further argued that such a comment would never be allowed in respected publications like The Atlantic or The New York Times. He said, “Would you let me write in The Atlantic, ‘If you’re too drunk for The New York Times, you’re very, very drunk?’ Of course not.” He suggested that editorial standards should apply consistently, whether on air or in print.

Scarborough also took the opportunity to address broader criticisms that he and Brzezinski have faced, particularly their visit to President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago, which drew backlash from critics. He rejected claims that the visit compromised their integrity, asserting that they acted out of journalistic responsibility. “People said we were pandering to Trump, but that’s simply not true. Nobody tells me what to say on this show,” he said. “If they did, I’d tell them to come host the show themselves.”

Scarborough clarified that Frum had been invited to return to Morning Joe to discuss the article and the incident further, showing their willingness to have an open and honest debate. However, Scarborough did not hold back from criticizing Frum’s decision to frame the incident as part of a larger narrative of fear. He apologized if Frum felt “blindsided” by the on-air rebuke but made it clear that addressing the inappropriate joke was the right editorial decision.

The segment also touched on the role of media in a politically polarized climate. Scarborough insisted that Morning Joe remains committed to holding all sides accountable, regardless of political affiliations. He reiterated that their approach is based on honest discussion, not fear or appeasement.

By the end of the segment, Scarborough and Brzezinski firmly stood by their actions, emphasizing that maintaining civility and fairness in media is more important than pandering to extremes. Frum is scheduled to return to Morning Joe on Friday to continue the conversation, signaling that the debate over journalistic standards and the role of humor in political discourse is far from over.