CNN reported late Sunday that MSNBC decided to air the news report instead of its daily morning opinion show “to avoid a scenario in which one of the show’s more than two dozen guests made an inappropriate comment live on air that could undermine the show or the network as a whole.”
The coverage drew outrage from left-leaning viewers but also glee from conservatives, who saw it as evidence that longtime critics of Trump, like hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, were stepping back amid the horror of the shooting.
But a network spokesman “categorically” denied CNN’s report, saying the decision “gives consideration to the gravity and complexity of this unfolding story” and is part of a broader programming strategy to cover breaking news across a unified broadcast network of NBC News, its cable TV affiliate MSNBC and streaming network NBC News Now.
“Networks will continue to simulcast coverage of this story throughout the week… therefore there will only be one news feed covering this developing situation,” the spokesperson added.
“Morning Joe” is scheduled to return to the air Tuesday morning, but it’s unclear whether the host will comment on the reasons for his absence. “Way Too Early with Jonathan Lemire,” the show that precedes “Morning Joe,” was also pulled from the air to air a special report for NBC News.
The network has been running a continuous news flash since Saturday night’s shooting, but its usual line-up of opinion hosts, including Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid and Nicolle Wallace, will appear Monday night to provide joint coverage of the first day of the Republican National Convention.
In a social media post, Scarborough expressed sadness over the shooting that left firefighter Corey Comperatore dead. (The alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by the Secret Service.)
“Our family is praying this morning for President Trump, for those injured yesterday, and for the loved ones of the Americans who tragically died. May God have mercy on them and save us all from violent political rhetoric. [coarsens] It is stymieing debate and putting public servants at risk,” Scarborough wrote.
An MSNBC producer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, said the decision to preempt “Morning Joe” was not surprising, adding: “The strategy hasn’t changed since the shooting happened.”
But former MSNBC producer Shawn Graff told The Washington Post that the decision was “very shocking.”
“As a viewer who tunes into Morning Joe every day for Joe and Micah’s thoughtful analysis, I was extremely disappointed that MSNBC did not air the show today,” he said. “What we need is more civilized, bipartisan dialogue, not less of it, and that’s what Morning Joe does best.”
“Morning Joe” has always been influential in the national political world, but in the weeks since Biden’s disjointed debate performance, the show has taken on special meaning as viewers and political insiders tuned in to see what the host had to say about Biden’s candidacy.
On Monday afternoon, The New York Times reported that MSNBC had also shelved plans to livestream the Republican National Convention, which would be hosted by host Ali Velshi.
The shooting led to the cancellation of other programming for the convention, including Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” which had been scheduled to broadcast live from Milwaukee but shelved those plans, citing “logistical challenges and changing conditions in Milwaukee.”
Covering the tournament while also covering the aftermath of the shooting has posed a challenge for broadcasters who had already rearranged their lineups to carry live programming from Milwaukee.
