Fact-Check Summary
President Trump’s post claims that Joe Scarborough’s television ratings and those of MSNBC have “gone down the tubes,” describing the decline as a “beautiful thing to watch.” The facts show that MSNBC suffered significant ratings losses after the November 2024 election and again in October 2025, reaching historic lows. However, data also indicates that both MSNBC overall and Morning Joe partially rebounded in early-to-mid 2025, with “Morning Joe” posting increased viewership and sometimes beating competitors depending on the metric. The overall picture is a fluctuating ratings trend with pronounced lows but periods of relative recovery.
Belief Alignment Analysis
The post uses derogatory and hyperbolic language, implying satisfaction at the prospect of a competing network’s or journalist’s struggles. This framing undermines norms of civility and constructive political discourse critical to a functioning democracy. Rather than promoting inclusive and evidence-based dialogue, it reinforces division and derision. The claim blends truth with exaggeration, diminishing public trust and failing to respect the pluralism that strengthens democracy.
Opinion
While MSNBC, including Morning Joe, faced periods of very poor ratings, characterizing the entire network and show as perpetually “down the tubes” is misleading without acknowledging periods of recovery. Political leaders should avoid celebratory language about opponents’ setbacks and strive for more balanced, civic-minded public communication.
TLDR
MSNBC and Morning Joe saw major audience declines after November 2024 and again in October 2025, but experienced partial rebounds in between. The post is accurate for certain periods but uses exaggerated, divisive language and overlooks more nuanced ratings trends.
Claim: Joe Scarborough’s and MSNBC’s ratings are really bad and “down the tubes.”
Fact: MSNBC and Morning Joe saw sharp post-election and October 2025 declines, but there were periods of significant recovery earlier in 2025. Morning Joe also maintained competitive viewership against CNN among total viewers in spring 2025.
Opinion: The claim is selectively true but misleading due to the exclusion of recovery periods and the use of derisive rhetoric.
TruthScore: 5
True: Both MSNBC and Morning Joe experience documented ratings slumps after the 2024 election and in fall 2025.
Hyperbole: “Down the tubes,” “really bad,” and the celebratory tone exaggerate the scope and persistence of the ratings decline.
Lies: The statement is not a lie but omits important recovery periods, resulting in a misleading narrative.