MSNBC’s Morning Joe is under fire after issuing an apology to Fox News over remarks aimed at host Pete Hegseth.

As reported by The Daily Mail, the drama unfolded when commentator David Frum’s on-air joke sparked backlash, with network executives quickly stepping in to smooth things over. This comes as the show’s co-hosts, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, face scrutiny for a secret meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, raising eyebrows among both progressives and conservatives.

Frum, a self-described “Never Trumper,” stirred controversy by quipping, “If you’re too drunk for Fox News, you’re very, very drunk indeed.”

Following the segment, Frum claimed a producer warned him against repeating the joke, describing the experience as “ominous” for free speech on MSNBC. In a column for The Atlantic, Frum blasted the network, arguing that its apparent censorship of progressive voices bodes poorly for open debate.

He remarked, “It is a very ominous thing if our leading forums for discussion of public affairs are already feeling the chill of intimidation and responding with efforts to appease.”

MSNBC’s communications VP, Richard Hudock, defended the network, stating, “Joe and Mika have consistently expressed strong reservations about Pete Hegseth’s nomination and would have responded similarly regardless of which news organization was referenced.”

Frum’s remarks highlighted deeper tensions at MSNBC, a network often accused of being an echo chamber for liberal elites. Many conservatives took note of the irony in Scarborough and Brzezinski’s recent meeting with Trump—a stark departure from their years-long feud.

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The pair had previously labeled Trump a racist, sexist, and even likened him to Hitler. Yet, following the Mar-a-Lago summit, they described Trump as “cheerful” and interested in bridging divides with Democrats.

Mika Brzezinski, the co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” walked back a comment made by a guest on Wednesday who said Pete Hegseth was “too drunk for Fox News.”

[Video: MSNBC]

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Trump, for his part, commented on the meeting to Fox News, saying, “It is very important, if not vital, to have a free, fair and open media or press. Many things were discussed, and I very much appreciated the fact that they wanted to have open communication. In many ways, it’s too bad that it wasn’t done long ago.”

Despite their detente, Scarborough assured viewers that their criticism of Trump remains intact. “Don’t be mistaken,” he said. “We are not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump.”

Brzezinski defended the meeting as an opportunity for constructive dialogue, drawing a parallel to her father’s diplomatic work with adversaries. However, critics across the political spectrum view the gesture as either naive or opportunistic.

The hosts’ evolving relationship with Trump has become emblematic of MSNBC’s broader identity crisis. The network, once seen as a bastion of resistance during Trump’s presidency, is now accused of pandering to corporate interests and alienating progressives.

Meanwhile, Scarborough and Brzezinski’s history of mocking Trump—ranging from Christmas albums to personal attacks—has only deepened the distrust.

For conservatives, Morning Joe’s recent moves are another example of liberal media’s hypocrisy. Whether it’s groveling to rivals or cozying up to former enemies, the show’s credibility seems as wobbly as ever.