The morning joe ratings decline has become a significant topic of discussion in media circles as MSNBC’s flagship morning show faces unprecedented challenges in 2025. The Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski-hosted program has experienced substantial viewership drops, particularly following the controversial morning joe meets with trump incident in November 2024. This comprehensive analysis examines the factors contributing to the show’s declining performance and explores whether morning joe cancelled rumors have any merit.
The Numbers Behind Morning Joe’s Struggle
The most striking aspect of the morning joe ratings decline emerged in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. According to Nielsen data reported by the New York Post, Morning Joe experienced a dramatic 40% drop in viewership immediately following the November election. The show averaged 1.1 million viewers before Election Day but plummeted to just 651,000 viewers in the week following Trump‘s victory.
This decline represents one of the most significant ratings drops for any major cable news program in recent memory. The show’s performance has been particularly concerning in the crucial 25-54 demographic, where CNN’s News Central has begun outperforming Morning Joe for the first time since 2022.
Quarterly Performance Analysis
First quarter 2025 data revealed the extent of Morning Joe’s struggles. CNN News Central averaged 73,000 viewers in the key 25-54 demographic, while morning joe ratings managed only 64,000 viewers during the same period. This marked a significant shift in morning cable news competition, with MSNBC losing ground to its primary rival.
The Trump Meeting Controversy
The most damaging blow to morning joe viewership came when hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski announced their surprise meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on November 15, 2024. This revelation, which the hosts called an attempt to “restart communications,” sparked immediate backlash from their progressive audience.
Viewer Backlash and Social Media Response
The morning joe meets with trump announcement triggered widespread criticism from loyal viewers who felt betrayed by the hosts’ decision. Media critic Jeff Jarvis, a longtime viewer, described the meeting as “a betrayal of their colleagues, democracy, and us all” and called it “a disgusting show of obeisance in advance”.
Social media platforms filled with viewers vowing to boycott the show, though the immediate ratings impact was more nuanced than initially expected. The Monday morning episode where the hosts discussed their Trump meeting drew 839,000 total viewers and 113,000 in the key demographic, followed by a Tuesday drop to 680,000 total viewers.
Behind-the-Scenes Motivations
According to CNN sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the morning joe trump meeting was motivated by fears of potential governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration. The hosts were reportedly concerned about Trump’s history of threatening retaliation against perceived enemies, particularly given his previous attacks on both Scarborough and Brzezinski.
Temporary Cancellation and Network Tensions
The relationship between Morning Joe and MSNBC management became strained following the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The network made the controversial decision to pull morning joe from the air on July 15, 2024, replacing it with continuous news coverage, which prompted an on-air confrontation from host Joe Scarborough.
Scarborough’s visible frustration with the network’s decision led to threats about his future with the show. ” The next occasion we are informed that a news feed will take our place, we will remain seated in our chairs”, he declared during a live broadcast. “And the news feed will be us, or they can get somebody else to host the show”.
While this incident didn’t result in morning joe cancelled permanently, it highlighted growing tensions between the hosts and network executives regarding editorial control and programming decisions.
Competition from CNN and Fox News
The morning joe ratings struggles become more apparent when compared to competitor performance. Fox & Friends continues to dominate morning cable news, averaging more than double Morning Joe’s viewership during most months in 2025. Even more concerning for MSNBC is CNN’s steady gains in the crucial morning time slot.
CNN News Central has achieved consecutive monthly victories over Morning Joe in the 25-54 demographic, a development that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. This shift represents a fundamental change in morning news viewing patterns among younger audiences.
The Podcast Strategy and Digital Pivot
Despite television ratings challenges, the morning joe podcast has shown resilience and growth. Available on major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio, the podcast provides a condensed version of the daily four-hour television broadcast.
Digital Performance Metrics
The show’s YouTube presence has demonstrated stronger performance than traditional television metrics. Morning Joe posted 13.8 million YouTube views in April 2025, representing a 20% increase from the post-election period. Some of the most popular segments focus on economic issues rather than purely political content.
Second quarter 2025 data showed Morning Joe collected 56 million YouTube views, a 38% increase compared to the first quarter. This digital growth suggests the show maintains relevance among audiences who consume content outside traditional television viewing.
Staff Changes and Show Evolution
MSNBC has implemented several changes to address the morning joe ratings decline. In December 2024, NBC News correspondent Ali Vitali moved to anchor the 5 AM “Way Too Early” show, while Jonathan Lemire transitioned to become a permanent co-host during Morning Joe’s 9 AM hour alongside Scarborough and Brzezinski.
These changes represent an attempt to refresh the show’s format and appeal to different audience segments. The network has also experimented with expanding the show’s focus beyond pure political commentary to include more economic and cultural discussions.
Recovery Attempts and Recent Performance
Following the initial post-election decline, Morning Joe has shown signs of recovery. According to NBC press releases, the show experienced a 17% increase in total viewership during the first five weeks of Trump’s presidency compared to pre-inauguration numbers. The show has also maintained its advantage over CNN in total viewers for 41 consecutive quarters.
Monthly Performance Trends
April 2025 data showed Morning Joe averaging 749,000 total viewers and 65,000 demo viewers, representing increases of 7% in total viewers and 10% in the demo compared to March. While these numbers remain below pre-election levels, they suggest the show may have found its new baseline audience.
Rating Trends Comparison Table
| Period | Total Viewers | Demo (25-54) | Key Events |
| Pre-Election 2024 | 1.1 million | ~100,000 | Peak performance |
| Nov 6-15, 2024 | 651,000 | ~75,000 | Post-election crash |
| Nov-Jan 2025 | 587,000 | ~65,000 | Trump meeting backlash |
| Jan-Mar 2025 | 684,000 | ~70,000 | Partial recovery |
| April 2025 | 749,000 | 65,000 | Continued growth |
Future Prospects and Industry Impact
The morning joe ratings decline reflects broader challenges facing cable news networks in the streaming era. Younger audiences increasingly consume news content through digital platforms rather than traditional television, forcing shows to adapt their distribution strategies.
Morning Joe’s experience serves as a case study for how political positioning can impact audience loyalty. The show’s attempt to moderate its anti-Trump stance through the Mar-a-Lago meeting alienated core viewers without necessarily attracting new ones, illustrating the risks of dramatic editorial pivots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morning Joe cancelled?
Morning joe cancelled rumors are unfounded. While the show has faced ratings challenges and temporary scheduling changes, MSNBC has not announced any plans to cancel the program. Recent staff additions and format changes suggest the network remains committed to the show.
What caused the Morning Joe ratings decline?
The morning joe ratings decline stems primarily from the hosts’ controversial meeting with Donald Trump in November 2024, which alienated the show’s progressive viewer base. Post-election viewing pattern changes and increased competition from CNN also contributed to the decline.
How are Morning Joe ratings now?
Current morning joe ratings show gradual recovery from post-election lows. April 2025 averaged 749,000 total viewers and 65,000 in the key demographic, up from the November-January low point but still below pre-election performance.
When did Morning Joe meet with Trump?
Morning joe meets with trump occurred on November 15, 2024, at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The hosts announced this meeting on their November 18, 2024 broadcast, describing it as an attempt to “restart communications” with the president-elect.
Does Morning Joe have a podcast?
Yes, the morning joe podcast is available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. The podcast provides condensed versions of the daily television broadcast and has maintained strong performance despite TV ratings challenges.
Who are the current Morning Joe hosts?
Morning joe is hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, with Willie Geist as a regular co-host. Jonathan Lemire joined as a permanent co-host for the 9 AM hour in December 2024, while Ali Vitali took over the lead-in show “Way Too Early”.
The morning joe ratings decline represents a significant challenge for MSNBC’s morning programming strategy, highlighting how political positioning and audience expectations intersect in the current media landscape. While the show has shown signs of recovery, it continues to navigate the complex balance between journalistic access and viewer loyalty in an increasingly polarized environment.