President-elect Donald Trump has decided to play nice with the mainstream media, which has historically taken a hostile stance towards him, as he prepares for a second term. In a move that could leave some scratching their heads, Trump met with the co-hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who recently expressed concerns about his Cabinet picks. It appears that what was once considered an adversarial relationship has turned into a dialogue—if only to keep up appearances.
The meeting took place at Mar-a-Lago, where the media duo sought to discuss their concerns face-to-face. After all the venom and vitriol that has flown freely between Trump’s camp and certain media figures, this sudden desire for open conversation may feel akin to a deer caught in headlights. The president-elect radiated optimism about the meeting, emphasizing the necessity of a free and open press while also adjusting his glasses for any potential backhanded compliments that might come in the future.
Trump will enter his second term committed to creating a governing environment with few restraints on his power. He did not hide any of this. It was what the American people decided they wanted https://t.co/utSslcnrTL
— TIME (@TIME) November 10, 2024
In the wake of his successful campaign, Trump seems to be fully aware that he sits on top of the proverbial media food chain. Having outmaneuvered the mainstream press time and time again, he now graciously extends an invitation for them to come to him, even if they previously made it a sport to undermine him. The media moguls are now somewhat in desperation mode, recognizing that their ship, the U.S.S. Resistance, is taking on water and there’s a lifeline in the form of Trump’s accessibility.
While the self-anointed watchdogs of democracy would have Americans believe they need Trump for education and enlightenment, the truth is they need him more than he needs them. With a staggering drop in viewership—MSNBC plummeting from an average of 1.1 million to 736,000 viewers just after the election—it’s no wonder they are eager for some face time. Scarborough and Brzezinski, perhaps realizing they’ve been operating on borrowed time, have felt the pragmatic pressure of reaching out to the man they once sparred with so openly.
Trump’s media strategy seems to revolve around a simple principle: be magnanimous. He recognizes the importance of the press while simultaneously declaring that he’s not out for payback. In his own unique style, he left little doubt that he’s willing to give second chances (and even thirds), but there’s a firm line when it comes to unforgivable offenses. This approach—sugar-coating a jab—is typical of a man who has mastered the art of negotiation, whether in business or politics.
With this meeting, Trump has effectively put the media on notice: the narrative can only move forward if they shake off their previous biases and engage in real dialogue. He’s got his eyes set firmly on the future, and while he may extend the olive branch, he’s no pushover. For media outlets feeling the chill of his cool treatment in the past, the question now remains whether they can adapt or will they remain adrift like shipwrecked sailors