Political commentator David Frum found himself in hot water with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” after making a controversial remark about Fox News during a discussion on Wednesday. The incident stemmed from allegations of alcohol abuse leveled against Fox News personality Pete Hegseth.
Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush,drew a parallel between Hegseth’s situation and the failed 1989 nomination of Senator John Tower for Secretary of Defense by President George H.W. Bush. Tower’s nomination was ultimately derailed by concerns about his alcohol consumption.
“If you’re too drunk for Fox news, you’re very, very drunk indeed,” Frum quipped, sparking immediate backlash.
According to Frum’s subsequent article in The Atlantic, titled ”The Sound of Fear on Air,” producers cautioned him twice during commercial breaks to refrain from repeating the comment. Co-host Mika Brzezinski also issued an on-air apology to Fox News later in the show.
“The comment was a little too flippant for this moment that we’re in,” Brzezinski explained. “We have differences in coverage with Fox News, and that’s a good debate that we should have often. But right now I just want to say there’s a lot of good people [at Fox News].”
the incident highlights the delicate balance between robust political commentary and maintaining professional decorum, notably in today’s highly polarized media landscape.
Conservative commentator david Frum has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Fox News host pete Hegseth, criticizing both Hegseth’s alleged behavior and the network’s apparent reluctance to address it publicly.
Frum’s comments come in the wake of a heated exchange on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” between co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, who expressed concern over Hegseth’s alleged drinking habits and questioned why Fox News employees haven’t spoken out.
“There are good people at Fox News who work at Fox News who care about Pete Hegseth, and we want to leave it at that,” frum wrote in a recent column, echoing sentiments expressed by some Fox News insiders.
While Frum acknowledges the possibility of his own missteps in the discussion, he emphasizes personal accountability. “But I also note that if I did misstep, well, my face was on the screen, my name was on the chyron, and anyone who took offense knows whom to blame,” he stated.
Frum also highlights NBC News reporting that revealed concerns among current and former Fox staffers regarding hegseth’s drinking. ”brzezinski ‘is right, of course: There are good people at Fox News,'” Frum writes. “but if NBC’s reporting—based on interviews with 10 current or former Fox employees—about Hegseth’s alcohol abuse is accurate, many of those same good people have failed to report publicly that their former colleague, appointed to lead the armed forces of the United States, was notorious in their own building for his drinking,” he continues. “That would be a startling and shameful shirking of responsibility on a matter of grave national importance. What’s the appropriate language to call it out?”
Frum further contextualizes the “Morning Joe” discussion by referencing Brzezinski and Scarborough’s post-election visit to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, an attempt to mend their often contentious relationship. This move, seen by some as an act of appeasement, adds another layer to the conversation about accountability and the influence of powerful figures.
concluding his column, Frum expresses concern about the potential chilling effect of intimidation on public discourse. “It is a very ominous thing if our leading forums for discussion of public affairs are already feeling the chill of intimidation and responding with efforts to appease,” he warns.
## World Today News Exclusive:
**david Frum Addresses the Controversy Surrounding his “Morning Joe” Remarks**
**By: [Your Name], Senior Editor**
This week, political commentator David Frum became embroiled in controversy after making a comment about fox News personality Pete Hegseth on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Frum’s remarks sparked immediate backlash and prompted an on-air apology from co-host Mika Brzezinski.
To better understand the situation and Frum’s viewpoint, we reached out for an exclusive interview.
**WTN:** David, thanks for joining us. Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. Your comment on “Morning Joe” about Pete hegseth and Fox News drew criticism. Can you elaborate on what you intended to convey?
**frum:**
Of course. My intention was to draw a parallel between Hegseth’s situation and the failed 1989 nomination of Senator John Tower for Secretary of Defense. As you know, Tower’s nomination was derailed by concerns about his alcohol consumption.
The comment, “If you’re too drunk for Fox News, you’re very, very drunk indeed,” was intended as a dark humor commentary on the perceived standards and culture at Fox News. It was not meant as a personal attack on Hegseth or an indictment of all Fox News employees.
**WTN:**
It truly seems the humor may have been lost on some viewers. “Morning Joe” producers asked you to refrain from repeating the comment,and Mika Brzezinski issued an on-air apology to Fox News. Did you feel pressured to walk back your statement?
**Frum:**
Look, I understand why my remarks caused offense. It was a flippant comment, and perhaps insensitive given the context. While I stand by the point I was trying to make, I recognize that the delivery was problematic.
I respect Mika’s professionalism and decision to apologize. It’s understandable that she felt the need to clarify the show’s stance given the sensitive nature of the issue.
**WTN:**
Your subsequent article in *The Atlantic* delves into the broader issue of media polarization and the potential for fear to influence discourse. Can you expand on that?
**Frum:**
The incident on “Morning Joe” is a microcosm of a larger trend in media. We are increasingly siloed in our news consumption, reinforcing existing biases and demonizing opposing viewpoints. This fosters an habitat where even unintentional humor can be interpreted as malice. We need to rediscover the art of civil discourse, even when discussing contentious issues.
**WTN:**
David, thank you for your candidness and insights.
This interview has undoubtedly shed light on a complex situation. While Frum’s comment was undoubtedly controversial, it also raises important questions about media duty, polarization, and the evolving nature of public discourse.
