MSNBC pulled its popular morning show “Morning Joe” off the air on Monday, July 15, 2024, following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The decision led to frustration among staffers and viewers, sparking speculation about the network’s motives.
The incident occurred on Saturday when a gunman fired several shots at Trump using an AR-style rifle. Trump was struck in the right ear, critically injuring two others, and a Pennsylvania firefighter was killed trying to protect his family. Trump, however, survived the attempt on his life.
On Sunday, MSNBC decided that “Morning Joe” hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough would not air their show on Monday. Instead, the network opted for continuous breaking news coverage led by veteran anchors Katy Tur and Andrea Mitchell. This decision led to speculation and frustration among the network’s staff and viewers.
Despite the uproar, MSNBC denied any directives to tone down their coverage of Trump. A spokesperson told Page Six, “Due to the serious and intricate nature of this developing situation, NBC News, NBC News NOW, and MSNBC have continuously provided live breaking news coverage since Saturday evening.”
On Tuesday, Brzezinski and Scarborough returned to “Morning Joe,” addressing the issue directly. Scarborough shared his disappointment, “We were told there would be a single news feed across all NBC News channels, but that did not happen. Our team was not given a good answer as to why, but it didn’t happen.”
This sentiment was echoed by co-host Willie Geist, who emphasized their commitment to their audience, “We wanted to be here for our audience. We know you trust us, and we have the utmost respect for our audience. We are here today, and we wish we would have been here yesterday.”
Amid this turmoil, MSNBC’s prime-time hosts Joy Reid, Rachel Maddow, and Nicole Wallace, known for their critical stance on Trump, continued their special coverage of the Republican National Convention. Their presence ensured viewers that the network was not shying away from covering significant political developments despite the incident.
However, this decision did not come without criticism. An MSNBC insider told the media that the absence of Brzezinski and Scarborough was “overblown” and that the network’s decision was more about ensuring a consistent and fact-based news feed during a critical news cycle. “This was a moment to cover the incident as facts only. It was 24 hours a day, and the network pulled all the resources in one big feed. Programming will continue as it is,” the insider explained.
Adding to the network’s turmoil, a source revealed that some MSNBC staffers criticized Brzezinski and Scarborough’s reactions. The insider said, “Joe and Mika are acting childish and immature. They need to grow up.”
Despite the backlash, Brzezinski and Scarborough remained defiant. Scarborough stated, “The next time we are told there will be a news feed replacing us, we will be in our chairs, and the news feed will be us. Or they can get somebody else to host the show.”
Viewers remain focused on the unfolding political drama as the network struggles with internal discord and external scrutiny. The assassination attempt on Trump has undoubtedly heightened tensions and scrutiny around media coverage, particularly with the upcoming Republican National Convention.
In his first public statement after the incident, Scarborough posted on X, “Our family is praying this morning for President Trump, those injured [Saturday], and for the loved ones of the American tragically killed.”
For now, MSNBC assures its viewers that it will continue with its regular programming and comprehensive coverage of significant political events. Brzezinski and Scarborough are back on air, determined to deliver the news with the integrity and insight their audience expects.