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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Joe Scarborough Asks How Hegseth Has 'Time' to Trash Massie

Massie is the target of Hegseth’s campaign remarks and is defended by the Morning Joe hosts.

Joe Scarborough Asks How Hegseth Has 'Time' to Trash Massie
Image · Mediaite

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Outlet credibilityMediaite65/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
Mediaite
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Joe Scarborough criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for campaigning against Rep. Thomas Massie while the U.S. is at war. The segment also featured criticism of President Donald Trump and support for Massie’s position on releasing the Epstein files.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Thomas Massie R · KY-4
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Massie in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Massie’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative criticized by Hegseth and defended by Scarborough and Geist

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Joe Scarborough
Former U.S. Representative (R-FL)

Morning Joe host criticizing Hegseth’s campaign remarks and Trump’s policies

Scarborough's version of this story ↗
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense secretary who criticized Massie and campaigned for Gallrein

Hegseth's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose handling of the Epstein files and other policies is criticized by Scarborough

House candidate running against Massie and the beneficiary of Hegseth’s campaign push

Part of a bigger story

12 OUTLETS
Hegseth Campaigns for Ed Gallrein Against Thomas Massie

Outlets agree Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth campaigned in Kentucky for Ed Gallrein, who is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie in the Republican primary, and criticized Massie. Left-leaning outlets frame the appearance as pressure to support Trump and, in one article, weigh the risks of Democratic support for Massie. Center outlets emphasize the unusual role of a defense secretary in partisan campaigning and connect the intervention to Trump's effort to defeat Massie. Right-leaning outlets present the visit as backing for Trump's challenger and highlight criticism of Massie's record.

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