MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough on Tuesday announced he is leaving the Republican Party and becoming an Independent.
“I am a Republican, but I’m not going to be a Republican anymore,” he said during an appearance on CBS’s “The Late Show.”
Scarborough is scheduled to appear on Tuesday’s edition of the late night talk show with Mika Brzezinski, his fiancée and “Morning Joe” co-host.
The change in party affiliation comes after Brzezinski and Scarborough have repeatedly clashed with President Trump this year.
Some Twitter users on Tuesday praised Scarborough, a former GOP House representative from Florida, for leaving the party.
Let's hope he sets a trend for the saner republicans.
— Richard Researcher (@Researcher2016a) July 12, 2017
Country before party. I wish more people would remember that. Thanks for speaking out. #truthtopower
— Christy Ward (@ChristyWard3) July 12, 2017
Other people on the social media platform attacked Scarborough for leaving the party he has long identified with.
Joe is the consummate grandstander. This is his latest 'look at me' moment.
— SusanMAdams (@SusanMAdams) July 12, 2017
Good riddance. Once a coward, always a coward. Newt was spot on when he described what you've become. When the going gets tough, just quit.
— Scott Anthoine 🛴 (@ScottAnthoine) July 12, 2017
Trump attacked Brzezinski and Scarborough last month in a pair of tweets that ultimately inspired bipartisan condemnations.
“I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don’t watch anymore),” he tweeted on June 29. “They how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came…”
“to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year’s Eve, and insisted on joining me,” Trump continued, referencing his resort in Palm Beach, FL. “She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!”
Multiple Democrats and Republicans rebuked Trump for publicly attacking Brzezinski’s physical appearance.
Trump has repeatedly clashed with media outlets like “Morning Joe,” labeling those he says are biased as “fake news.”
