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“We talked about a lot of issues, including abortion, mass deportation, threats of political retribution against political opponents, and media outlets,” said Scarborough. “And it’s going to come as no surprise to anybody who watches this show, has watched it over the past year or over the past decade, that we didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues, and we told him so.”
Despite their disagreements, both Scarborough and Brzezinski agreed that the conversation was essential. “What we did agree on was to restart communications,” said Mika Brzezinski, referencing her father’s frequent talks with world leaders he disagreed with. She acknowledged the importance of maintaining dialogue, even when strong differences exist.
The hosts emphasized that it’s time for the country to move beyond the constant political warfare that has defined recent years. “Five years of political warfare has deeply divided Washington and the country,” said Mika. “We have been as clear as we know how in expressing our deep concerns about President Trump’s actions and words in the coarsening of public debate.”
However, they also recognized that a significant portion of the American electorate continues to support Trump. “But for nearly 80 million Americans, election denialism, public trials, January 6th were not as important as the issues that moved them to send Donald Trump back to the White House with their vote,” Mika added. This realization led them to take a different approach—one that involves not just talking about Trump but speaking directly with him.
Scarborough pointed out that Trump’s position as a non-candidate for re-election might offer a unique opportunity for both political parties to work together. “This is a president who’s not seeking re-election, so maybe, just maybe, now could be the time for both parties to get to work,” he said. Reflecting on the election results, he noted that Trump received about 50 percent of the vote, while Kamala Harris garnered roughly 49 percent. “So I don’t know. It seems to make sense for leaders of both parties to seek common ground, if it’s possible at all.”
The hosts also relayed conversations they’ve had with high-ranking Democratic leaders who have signaled a willingness to work with Trump if he’s open to collaboration. “Top Democrats… said, listen, we’re open to working with the incoming president if the incoming president is open to working with us,” Scarborough revealed.
Despite their open-mindedness, the hosts cautioned that the path forward must be free from personal attacks and hyperbole. “Hyperbole and personal attacks will not work,” said Mika. “My hair on fire doesn’t work. We’ve all seen that.” She also warned against threatening political opponents with harassment or imprisonment, a tactic that has failed in the past. “Recent history has proven that impeachments and trials turn those on trial into political martyrs,” she noted, citing both Bill Clinton and Trump as examples.
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The question they posed was whether the country can embrace a more constructive approach. “It will take a new approach from all sides, from both parties, and a leader who can bring them together,” said Mika. “And only time will tell if Donald Trump is that leader.”
Scarborough made it clear that their goal was not to defend Trump or normalize his actions. “Don’t be mistaken. We’re not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump. We’re here to report on him,” he emphasized. The hosts expressed their commitment to continuing to speak truth to power, regardless of political affiliation. “We’re going to work,” he added, quoting legendary Washington Post editor Marty Barron.
Watch the clip below:
While the MSNBC hosts’ intentions to engage in productive conversation are clear, some observers suggest that this meeting may be about more than just politics. With MSNBC’s viewership numbers reportedly down nearly 40 percent since Trump’s election, some speculate that the network might be hoping to repair its relationship with Trump supporters to boost its ratings. The network’s owners, Comcast, have even been rumored to be considering selling the company at a discounted price.
As MSNBC’s prime-time ratings continue to struggle, this meeting with Trump could signal a shift in strategy—a move that not only seeks to bridge political divides but also to revitalize the network’s relevance in an ever-changing media landscape. Whether or not this approach will succeed remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the conversation with Trump is part of a broader effort to engage with the polarized landscape of American politics.
