The recent meeting between President-elect Donald Trump and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski at Mar-a-Lago has sparked serious backlash from various media figures, prompting calls for boycotts of the show.

The contentious meeting occurred on November 15, 2024, marking the first time in seven years that the hosts had met Trump. This followed their consistent criticism of him throughout his successful 2024 presidential campaign. The backlash was especially harsh due to their prior description of Trump as a “dark, dismal fascist—and increasingly obviously fascist—person.”

Journalist Glenn Greenwald delivered a powerful critique, labeling Scarborough and Brzezinski as “the most humiliating and pathetic people in all of the corporate media.” Greenwald implied their visit was driven by an attempt to “reestablish a relationship with the fascist dictator Donald Trump to get him back on their show.”

A reliable source indicated that fear could have influenced the hosts’ decision to meet with Trump. CNN reported that Scarborough and Brzezinski were genuinely worried about potential governmental and legal harassment from the forthcoming Trump administration.

The criticism extended to their own network, with MSNBC contributor Jennifer Rubin advocating a boycott of “Morning Joe,” describing the meeting as “disgusting.”

Ana Navarro and Sunny Hostin, co-hosts of “The View,” added their voices to the critics, challenging the pair’s journalistic integrity and suggesting the meeting was opportunistic.

Scarborough defended the meeting by stating that social media reactions did not represent the wider public sentiment. He differentiated between online criticism and the real-world feedback he and Brzezinski received, noting a surge of supportive phone calls from people around the globe who endorsed their decision to meet with Trump.

Trump said the meeting covered various topics and expressed appreciation for the hosts’ interest in maintaining open dialogue. He also expressed regret that such conversations had not started earlier.

The meeting has already impacted “Morning Joe,” with reports suggesting a decline in viewership as its liberal audience has temporarily disengaged following the election. This trend is consistent with past instances when supporters of the losing party withdrew for a time from media viewing.

Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly also criticized the pair for what she termed “dishonesty and ‘faux journalism'” following their apparent shift in stance toward Trump. Keith Olbermann, a former MSNBC host, also disapproved of his ex-colleagues’ actions.

Trump, who previously referred to the hosts using derogatory nicknames such as “Crazy Mika” and “Psycho Joe,” indicated he anticipates more meetings with media figures, even those who have been “extremely hostile.” He underscored, however, that fair treatment would be a prerequisite for continued communication.