Axios reporter Alex Thompson revealed Joe Biden is "obsessed" with Morning Joe and "often" calls Joe Scarborough for advice. Joe and his wife Mika even had dinner at Kamala's house, and Mika just performed a pillow-soft interview with the First Lady. This is what earns the term "MSDNC."
Mark Finkelstein, our Joe & Mika minder, joins us to discuss it. Biden not only calls Scarborough, but has also consulted with his regular cast of characters, including Mike Barnicle, Richard Haass, Jon Meacham and Adm. James Stavridis. Mark makes a funny point about Meacham leaving the payroll as an MSNBC contributor when his speechwriting for Biden became apparent.
As part of their bargain, they get on-air interviews. Scarborough interviewed Biden last year. A few weeks ago, Brzezinski sat down with First Lady Jill Biden. In early 2021, Kamala Harris was wary of a Mika interview request, but "The West Wing stepped in and insisted she do it because of how important that relationship is for them" and Biden, a former Harris aide told Axios.
This is funny: "A White House official told Axios that many of Biden's top staff members think the show gives Biden a fairer shake on issues than other news shows and media outlets." That means they're lapdogs.
Scarborough, like many liberals, dwelled on weird tweets from Trump fans suggesting Taylor Swift's romance with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was a "psy op" for Biden. Since the media can't stop talking about Swift, they know it might be important whether she endorses Biden again this time or whether she "sits it out." Anyone critical of Swift is a "weenie" and a "snowflake."
Enjoy the podcast below, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
