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Comfort in Trump’s new era

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Updated at 8:00 PM ET on December 4, 2024.

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This morning I have an uneasy feeling.

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I was invited to join MSNBC’s. Morning Joe To talk from a studio in Washington, D.C., about an article I wrote about Trump’s approach to foreign policy. Before entering this article I was asked about Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense. Specifically about NBC News. report His heavy drinking caused co-workers at Fox News and at veteran organization He’s already headed. (A spokesperson for Trump’s transition told NBC, “These disgusting accusations are completely baseless and false.) and anyone who peddles defamatory lies as a political cheap shot is despicable.”)

I answer by reminding viewers of some history:

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In 1989, President George H. W. Bush was nominated. John TowerSenator from Texas is Secretary of Defense Tower is a very important person. He is a true defensive intellectual. Someone who deeply understands defense Not like the current nominee. It appears that Tower has a drinking problem. And when he drank too much He will just make himself an annoyance or worse for the women around him. And for that reason So his nomination fell in 1989. You don’t want to think that our moral standards have dropped so low that it’s possible to say: Let’s talk about drinking. sexual disturbance Remove knowledge about protection Delete leadership Then you will be the next Secretary of Defense for the 21st Century.

I tell this story in poignant terms. It’s cable TV. And I introduced the conversation with a joke: “If you’re too drunk for Fox News, you’re really, really drunk.”

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during the next commercial break One of the producers spoke into my ear. He objected to my comments on Fox and warned me not to repeat them. I said something non-committal and got another warning. After the break I was asked a follow-up question on another topic. Regarding the pardon of President Joe Biden’s son, I don’t return to the previous conversation. Not because I was warned. But because I’ve said what I’ve said Then I was told that I was being excused from the studio chair. Shortly thereafter, co-owner Mika Brzezinski read an apology for my words.

A little earlier on this blog. There was a comment on Fox News on our coverage of Pete Hegseth and the mounting allegations about his behavior over the years and his possible addiction or problems with alcohol. That comment seems a little too overbearing in this moment in time that we’re in. We just wanted to express our opinions as well. We want to make this clear. We have differences in coverage with Fox News, and that’s a healthy debate we should have often. But right now I just want to say that there are some great people out there. There are many people working at Fox News who care about Pete Hegseth, and we will. leave it like that

She’s certainly right: Fox News has good people, but if NBC’s reporting of interviews with 10 current or former Fox employees about Hegseth’s alcohol abuse is accurate, many of those good people failed to continue reporting. Publicly that their former co-workers appointed to lead the armed forces of the United States Its own building is famous for its drinking. That would be a shocking and shameful avoidance of responsibility in a matter of grave national importance. What is the appropriate language to call it out?

I am a huge admirer of Morning Joe The performance and commitment of all involved to bring informed political discussion to a national audience.

I am also aware that the show’s prominence has exposed its hosts and producers to extraordinary pressures and threats in the age of Trump. Trump talks about him time and time again. designation to counter hostile media Shortly before Trump left office Amplifying conspiracy theories that Brzezinski’s co-host Joe Scarborough is the murderer, Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to head the FBI, has gathered. list of enemies to target with investigations Trump’s candidacy to become FCC chairman has Guess It’s about stripping licenses from platforms that have angered the new administration. Intervening in a merger to punish critics is a feature of Trump’s first administration, MSNBC may now be. Spin out By Comcast leaving the future of the liberal network in a big way, host Morning Joe Visit Mar-a-Lago in November to mend fences with Trump They really have a lot to worry about.

As for my own opinion: you can decide for yourself whether I have overstepped the proper boundaries of television discussion. But I also noticed that if I made a mistake My face was on the screen. My name is on Chiron. And whoever commits a crime knows who is to blame.

It is a very bad omen if our leading forum for the discussion of public affairs gets cold feet from intimidation and retaliates with attempts to please.

I write these words with the realization that I may have to say goodbye to the television platform I love and have benefitted from both viewers and guests forever. I received unforgettable personal kindness from my hosts.

I’m not writing to scold anyone; I write because fear is contagious. let it spread And it will paralyze all of us.

The only antidote is courage. And that can be infectious too.


This article originally incorrectly stated Comcast’s plans for the news channel.

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