Joe Scarborough, pictured above, discussed MSNBC hosts giving political contributions on ABC's "The View" after Keith Olbermann's suspension. (Credit: YouTube, "The View"))
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was suspended for two days without pay after Politico revealed he made political contributions, a violation of MSNBC’s policy.
Scarborough co-hosts MSNBC show Morning Joe and is a former Republican congressman from Florida.
Scarborough’s suspension comes exactly two weeks after fellow MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was suspended for similar political donations. While Olbermann’s suspension was originally described as “indefinite,” he was back at work after two business days off.
Politico revealed Friday that Scarborough had given “at least five previously unknown $500 contributions,” and reported that while asking for “comment from the network,” Scarborough responded that he has given at least eight $500 contributions. “After being contacted by Politico about the donations, Scarborough voluntarily disclosed three other $500 contributions to a friend running for county office in Florida,” Politico reported.
Politico also broke the story of Olbermann’s undisclosed campaign contributions two weeks ago. At the time, Politico noted that Scarborough had given $4,200 in 2006 to a political campaign. NBC spokesperson Jeremy Gaines explained in 2007 that Scarborough “hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter.” In an update on a blog, Politico reported that an MSNBC spokesperson stated that Scarborough had “permission in advance” for the contribution.
On ABC’s The View, Scarborough responded to Barbara Walters’ question asking if he was a journalist or a pundit that “I don’t know what I am” and noted that “the rules have changed.”
He explained that he “got permission first” in the case of $4,200 contribution. See the video of the interview here.
Politico reported Friday that MSNBC president Phil Griffin said he discussed “political giving” with Scarborough two weeks ago when Olbermann was suspended. “In my conversation with Joe two weeks ago, he did not recall these contributions,” Griffin is reported to have said.
In a statement, Scarborough said he understands why he was suspended and apologized “to anyone who has been negatively affected by my actions.” See the full statement here on the Tuscon Citizen website. Scarborough stated:
“I recognize that I have a responsibility to honor the guidelines and conditions of my employment, and I regret that I failed to do so in this matter. I apologize to MSNBC and to anyone who has been negatively affected by my actions. …
“Because the contributions involved local, non-competitive races–and were given for personal rather than political reasons–I mistakenly believed I did not need approval from MSNBC. I also apologize for that oversight,” Scarborough reportedly said.
Politico noted that Scarborough said he “agreed with Phil’s immediate demand of a two-day suspension without pay.”
MSNBC’s president Phil Griffin said in a statement posted on NPR’s website here that Scarborough contributed $4,000 to political campaigns between 2004 and 2008. Griffin said:
“Since he did not seek or receive prior approval for these contributions, Joe understands that I will be suspending him for violating our policy. He will be immediately suspended for two days without pay and will return to the air on Wednesday, November 24th. As Joe recognizes, it is critical that we enforce our standards and policies,” Griffin stated.
ABC News noted that Scarborough’s most recent column for Politico “was published three days ago.”
See Politico’s report on Scarborough’s contributions and suspension here.
