The latest controversy surrounding Morning Joe and MSNBC reflects the increasingly fraught relationship between media outlets and their audiences in the post-Trump era. The on-air apology for David Frum’s flippant remarks about Pete Hegseth underscores the delicate tightrope MSNBC is walking as it grapples with declining ratings, evolving leadership dynamics, and a divisive political climate.

Frum, a stalwart of anti-Trump commentary, raised eyebrows with his quip that being “too drunk for Fox News” would mean being “very, very drunk indeed.” While clearly intended as a joke, the remark struck a nerve.

Mika Brzezinski promptly apologized, framing the joke as inappropriate given the seriousness of the allegations against Hegseth and MSNBC’s desire to differentiate its journalistic standards from those of its rivals.

Behind the scenes, however, Frum was reportedly reprimanded, sparking his sharp response in The Atlantic. In his column, Frum called the network’s actions “unsettling” and accused MSNBC of self-censorship. He framed the incident as symptomatic of a broader issue in modern media, where concerns about appeasing powerful interests are silencing critical voices.

This incident is further complicated by Morning Joe’s recent secret meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Once one of Trump’s staunchest critics, the show’s hosts—Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski—have faced intense backlash for engaging with the president-elect.

Critics on both the left and right have accused them of hypocrisy and attempting to normalize Trump, even as they insist their intention was to promote understanding and seek common ground.

For many, the meeting symbolized a troubling shift. Once a bastion of opposition to Trump, MSNBC’s willingness to engage with him has raised questions about whether the network is pivoting away from progressive advocacy in favor of a more centrist or pragmatic approach. Scarborough and Brzezinski have defended the decision as an effort to bridge divides, but the backlash from progressive commentators like Frum signals deeper tensions within the network.

MSNBC’s challenges are not limited to controversies over tone or content. Ratings have cratered since the 2020 election, leaving the network scrambling to retain its audience. The looming spin-off by parent company Comcast only adds to the uncertainty, with rumors swirling about potential leadership changes and a possible sale of the network.

As MSNBC seeks to navigate these choppy waters, the question of its identity looms large. Will it double down on its role as a voice for progressive resistance, or will it attempt to strike a more conciliatory tone, risking alienation of its core audience?