MS NOW continues to struggle with ratings, but that hasn’t stopped its line-up of left-wing hosts and guests from doubling and tripling down on content that alienates the vast majority of Americans.
The hosts of the network’s “Morning Joe” program joined hands and mockingly prayed for Sen. Tim Scott on Thursday after sharply criticizing the South Carolina Republican’s fiery speech at the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas.
The unusual on-air moment came after the program played a clip of Scott delivering an animated appeal for Republican unity and accusing Democrats of rejecting American culture.
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Scott, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, used his convention appearance to promote Republican Senate candidates and urge the party to remain united behind President Donald Trump heading into the November elections.
“The only way to keep dangerous, radical, weird out of the Senate is a united Republican Party,” Scott told the crowd before urging Republicans to stand with Trump.
He then described the midterms as “a battle for the heart of our nation” and accused Democratic candidates of threatening that heart.
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“They hate our culture. They hate what it means to be American,” Scott said before repeatedly declaring that Republicans would not back down.
Scott delivered the remarks with his voice raised, at one point pulling open his jacket and pounding his chest as the audience cheered, according to ABC News.
The performance immediately drew a strong reaction from *Morning Joe* co-host Joe Scarborough when the program replayed the segment Thursday morning.
“Speaking of weird, that was really weird,” Scarborough said.
Scarborough criticized both Scott’s delivery and his assertion that Democrats hate the United States and American culture, saying he believed the rhetoric had gone too far.
Scarborough then turned to Rev. Al Sharpton, another member of the panel, and asked for his reaction.
“First, we should all join hands and pray for him,” Sharpton responded.
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The hosts and panelists then reached across the table and joined hands.
“Bring him back in, Lord!” Sharpton said during the prayer.
Scarborough followed with a reference to “baby Jesus,” giving part of the exchange an openly joking tone.
Co-host Mika Brzezinski, however, said she was genuinely praying, and Sharpton responded that he was as well.
Sharpton continued criticizing Scott after the prayer, saying the senator’s performance went beyond normal partisan advocacy for Trump.
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He characterized Scott’s rhetoric as excessive and questioned why the senator had portrayed Democrats in such stark terms.
Sharpton said that while he regularly criticizes Republicans and Trump, he does not accuse Republican voters or politicians generally of hating the country.
Scarborough made a similar argument, saying he disagrees strongly with several Republican positions but does not conclude from those disagreements that Republicans “hate America.”
The segment quickly attracted attention because it combined political criticism, humor and religious imagery in response to a senator who frequently speaks publicly about his Christian faith.
Scott’s office responded briefly. “Bless their hearts,” spokesman Nathan Brand told Fox News Digital when asked about the segment.
The dispute grew out of one of the more aggressive speeches delivered during the Republican convention.
Scott, who is responsible for helping Republicans compete in Senate races nationally as chairman of the NRSC, used his Dallas appearance to attack several Democratic Senate candidates individually.
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Among them was Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
Scott mocked Talarico over previous comments about God and gender, saying during his speech that Talarico “believes God is non-binary.”
Talarico has previously said he “missed the mark” with some of the comments Republicans have cited.
Scott also attacked Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, accusing him of associating with extremists.
The broader purpose of the speech was to argue that the November Senate elections represent a choice between Republicans aligned with Trump and Democratic candidates Scott portrayed as outside the political mainstream.
He closed by emphasizing religion, family and freedom.
“We are one nation always under God,” Scott said. “We are always on the side of truth, family and freedom.”
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
