Posted on 02/23/2016 1:00:05 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Newly-leaked audio shows MSNBC hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough chatting with Donald TrumpDonald TrumpObama to visit Florida on Friday
Much of the recording, released by comedian Harry Shearer on his weekly radio show, seems typical of off-camera patter at television shows.
But it also comes amid criticism, some of it from CNN and other rivals to MSNBC, that the "Morning Joe" team is too supportive or close to Trump, the GOP presidential frontrunner.
In one exchange, Brzezinski calls Trump's decision to call two men onstage to a rally last week after they confronted a protester a "wow moment."
"You had me almost as a legendary figure, I like that," Trump responds.
The two hosts go onto say they were wrong for believing that Trump had done poorly during the most recent GOP debate earlier this month, noting polls suggested otherwise.
At one point, Brzezinski seems to ask Scarborough if they should ask Trump questions about deportation. Scarborough only replies that "we really do have to go to some questions."
Trump then jokes to Brezinski, "Nothing too hard, Mika."
Trump, whose presidential campaign has benefitted from media attention, notes that he has nothing to gain from participating in the town hall event.
"You, you get great ratings and a raise...Me, I get nothing," he said. After Trump tells them to "make us all look good," Scarborough says, "Exactly."
Media reporters with CNN and The Washington Post bashed the relationship between the hosts and Trump as too friendly, accusations that the pair refuted last week.
"We kept peppering him with questions - of course there are haters out there who will never be happy unless we get a knife and stab him in the side of the neck and watch him bleed while shouting profanities at him. Good luck finding another interview where he was interrupted more times than last night," Scarborough said on the show Friday morning.
"There's a lot of bias out there, a lot of jealous people out there. That's fortunately their problem, not ours."
The MSNBC town hall with Trump last week was direct competition for a town hall event on CNN with other GOP presidential candidates.
While CNN's town hall included all six GOP candidates spread out over two nights, MSNBC has not held another similar event with another Republican candidate besides Trump.
RUSH: These people all like Trump. He's been going on their TV networks and shows for years before he became a candidate... They need to be able to promote Trump appearances on their networks for ad revenue..
..I think a lot of the Drive-Bys think that Trump embarrasses himself and makes a fool of the GOP and his supporters every time he opens his mouth. And so they certainly want to amplify that as well...
...If you're trying to change people's minds about Trump, tell 'em why you're for Cruz, 'cause you're not gonna talk a Trumpist out of it. And the reason you're not gonna talk a Trumpist out of it is because they're feeling something really good, and they don't want to let go of that."
And the GOP is a bunch of feminized-gay-bots that could not find their way out of a paper bag.
Why is it that you ONLY CCP other people's words?
At least I know when some Bible thumper is lying.
The most liberal network playing nice with Trump. Things that make you go “Hmmmm”.
Liberals are most proficient in the art of using to made a buck... They will go bevis and butthead on trump if he wins the nomination.
This is like the Bob Newhart episode where the interviewer is nice to him before the camera is rolling, then attacks him when the camera is on.
It is all part of the shtick for the audience.
Some readers prefer this. No problem here, move along.
Vote Trump
OH WOW!
BFD
Two media peeps actually friendly to Mr. Trump, instead of totally hostile like MEgyn Kelly and her chums.
“Gotta love a Trumptards quoting Scripture”
Do you have a problem with evangelical Christians?
Doubt you’re doing your candidate any favors by posting references to shrill screeds like that one.
Speaking of Fox hostility!
Because if you don't support the Cuban wonderboy who thinks legalization of illegals is part of "common sense immigration reform," then surely you mustn't be a Christian.
Especially two Corinthians.. They will go back to du from where they came and we can get back to reasoned debates here.
trump means ratings so the media are giving him the obama treatment for now. if he wins the primaries the media will give him the palin treatment.
Actually this show has been supporting Trump, while Foxnews has had Megan constantly going after him.
Sort of trading places.
I (used to be) quite a fan of Foxnews. Big time. They have completely lost this former customer.
I very much like Morning Joe.
You are far more optimistic than I am. But hope springs eternal and I hope you are right.
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