In the grand theater of American politics, there are few performances more baffling—or entertaining—than watching media elites do a complete 180 when it suits them. Case in point: Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, hosts of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, suddenly finding time in their busy Trump-bashing schedule to cozy up to the man himself. Yes, the same Donald Trump they’ve spent the better part of a decade demonizing. It’s like watching a cat cozy up to a dog after years of hissing and clawing. And Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador and GOP presidential contender, isn’t letting them off the hook.

Haley, never one to mince words, has taken the pair to task for what she calls a “breathtaking level of hypocrisy.” In a recent interview, Haley pointed out the glaring contradiction of Scarborough and Brzezinski, who made Trump their favorite punching bag during his presidency, now finding common ground with him. “You don’t get to spend years tearing someone down and then act like you’re above it all when it becomes politically convenient,” she said. She’s right, of course. The pivot from the Morning Joe duo isn’t just hypocritical; it’s emblematic of a larger problem with our media culture.

For years, Scarborough and Brzezinski have positioned themselves as the moral arbiters of politics, regularly lambasting Trump for everything from his policies to his tweets. They’ve accused him of undermining democracy, fostering division, and being unfit for office. They’ve gleefully platformed critics who echo their disdain, painting Trump as a caricature rather than engaging with his policies or his widespread appeal. And yet, here they are, suddenly finding value in a meeting with the man they once called “the greatest threat to our democracy.”

What’s changed? Is it the realization that Trump’s influence isn’t going anywhere, despite their best efforts? Is it a cynical attempt to stay relevant in a media landscape where Trump remains the biggest draw? Or is it just a reflection of their own opportunism, a willingness to play nice when it suits their personal or professional interests? Whatever the answer, it’s clear that principles are taking a backseat to pragmatism.

Let’s not forget that the Scarborough-Trump relationship wasn’t always hostile. Before his presidency, Trump was a frequent guest on Morning Joe, and the dynamic was almost chummy at times. But as Trump’s rhetoric sharpened and his policies veered further from the establishment norm, Scarborough and Brzezinski became two of his most vocal critics. The fallout wasn’t just professional; it was deeply personal, with Trump taking potshots at their relationship and they, in turn, questioning his fitness for office. It was a messy, public feud that seemed irreparable.

So, what’s with the sudden détente? Haley, for her part, sees it as emblematic of the larger media hypocrisy that conservatives have been calling out for years. “This is why Americans don’t trust the media,” she said. “It’s not about accountability or truth; it’s about maintaining their power and influence.” She’s not wrong. The media loves to paint itself as a check on power, but too often it operates as a player in the game, picking sides, shifting narratives, and abandoning principles when it suits their agenda.

What’s particularly galling about this situation is the media’s refusal to acknowledge their role in creating the environment they now decry. Scarborough and Brzezinski spent years stoking division, framing every Trump move as a catastrophe, and treating his supporters as irredeemable. Now, with the political winds shifting, they’re back to playing nice, expecting no one to notice the change. It’s a level of arrogance that would be laughable if it weren’t so damaging.

This isn’t just about Trump, Scarborough, or Brzezinski; it’s about the broader hypocrisy of a media landscape that’s more interested in clicks and influence than in consistency or accountability. It’s about the double standards that allow the same people who decry division to sow it when it suits them, only to pivot back to civility when the narrative demands it. And it’s about the millions of Americans who see through the charade, growing more disillusioned with each passing day.

Haley’s critique is more than just a swipe at Morning Joe; it’s a call to action for conservatives to hold the media accountable, to demand honesty and consistency from those who claim to inform and guide public discourse. Because if we don’t, the hypocrisy will only continue, eroding trust, deepening divisions, and making it that much harder to have an honest conversation about the issues that matter. For now, Scarborough and Brzezinski may enjoy their moment of détente with Trump, but the damage they’ve done to their credibility—and to the media as a whole—won’t be easily repaired. And that, perhaps, is the real story.