The honeymoon between MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump appears to be over.
For a season, Scarborough was criticized for being blatantly pro-Trump, but on Friday, the two men ended up in a Twitter tussle, which ultimately resulted in the billionaire businessman claiming "Morning Joe," the show the MSNBC anchor co-hosts daily, is "rapidly fading."
Joe Scarborough attends the 'The Right Path: From Ike To Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics - And Can Again' book event on November 12, 2013 in New York, United States. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)
At the start of the fight, Trump slammed Scarborough, writing he doesn't have "not much power or insight" because he originally pledged support to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who dropped out in February, and then Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who ended his campaign earlier this week.
Joe Scarborough initially endorsed Jeb Bush and Jeb crashed, then John Kasich and that didn't work. Not much power or insight!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2016
From there, he went directly after Scarborough and his MSNBC morning show and his suggestion that there is "no better time" for a third party candidate to emerge.
I hear @JoeNBC of rapidly fading @Morning_Joe is pushing hard for a third party candidate to run. This will guarantee a Crooked Hillary win.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)May 6, 2016
Then Scarborough finally weighed in, invoking the nickname "Donnie Boy" for the presumptive presidential nominee.
"Rapidly fading?" Umm...we are enjoying our best ratings ever. Lots of luck, fella. https://t.co/DVsBHctzgd
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 6, 2016
Define "rapidly fading," Donnie boy. https://t.co/DVsBHctzgd
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 6, 2016
When asked by CNN about Trump's accusation that "Morning Joe" is "rapidly fading," MSNBC echoed Scarborough's comments.
"'Morning Joe' just had its best quarter ever and for the month of April 2016, more viewers tuned into 'Morning Joe' than to CNN's 'New Day' in both the key demo and total viewers," an network spokeswoman said.
Though both MSNBC's "Morning Joe" and CNN's "New Day" morning shows fall behind Fox News' "Fox and Friends," all three programs have received a ratings boost from the current presidential election cycle. Between January and March of this year, both "Morning Joe" and "New Day" experienced the highest-rated quarters ever and "Fox and Friends" had its highest-rated quarter in more than two years.
Because of the murky history between the two men, many were baffled by the Scarborough-Trump feud. The confusion even lead some to wonder if the public fight was pre-planned, given the criticism the two have received for their personal relationship.
In the past, Scarborough has offered Trump political advice, conducted several interviews with him and the New York real estate mogul once called Scarborough and his "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski "supporters" of his candidacy. Trump later clarified that they are "not necessarily supporters, but at least believers."
This latest fight just further exemplifies Trump's often-turbulent relationships with media personalities and journalists.
"Donald Trump is currently on good terms with Megyn Kelly & bashing Joe Scarborough/Morning Joe on Twitter," Washington Examiner political reporter Al Weaver tweeted. "Let that sink in."
Donald Trump is currently on good terms with Megyn Kelly & bashing Joe Scarborough/Morning Joe on Twitter.
— Al Weaver (@alweaver22) May 6, 2016
Let that sink in.
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