--- title: Donald Trump Answers Joe Scarborough National Enquirer Claim description: President Trump called MSNBC's Morning Joe "fake news" after host Joe Scarborough alleged senior aides asked him to apologize to Trump. canonical: https://time.com/4840993/donald-trump-joe-scarborough-national-inquirer/ author: Kate Samuelson article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-06-30T14:02:54.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:21:14.303Z article:section: U.S. og:title: "Fake News." Trump Doubles Down on Feud With 'Morning Joe' Hosts og:description: "Bad show." og:url: https://time.com/4840993/donald-trump-joe-scarborough-national-inquirer/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7fdd2ae54c4c52ab/6988d41e0b72e3be3f6ee78b/gettyimages-459245230.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4134 og:image:height: 2325 og:image:alt: Vaclav Havel Bust og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: "Fake News." Trump Doubles Down on Feud With 'Morning Joe' Hosts twitter:description: "Bad show." twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7fdd2ae54c4c52ab/6988d41e0b72e3be3f6ee78b/gettyimages-459245230.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 01:28 video:published: 2017-06-29 section: politics topics: presidential tweets, White House defense, Morning Joe, media criticism, personal attacks, political rhetoric, media double standard genre: news interview, political commentary tones: defensive, combative, assertive, critical emotions: anger (medium), defiance (high), indignation (medium) sentiment: negative audience: political news viewers, media followers, Trump supporters, political commentators people: Donald Trump, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski organizations: White House, Morning Joe content_suitability: politics [00:00-01:28]; hate [01:02-01:14] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # 'Fake News.' President Trump Doubles Down on Twitter Feud With 'Morning Joe' Hosts > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=e5f4f07b-d619-4870-9bca-4fdea6d4e10b&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: White House Reiterates Defense of President Trump's Controversial Mika Brzezinski Tweet [Watch (HLS stream): White House Reiterates Defense of President Trump's Controversial Mika Brzezinski Tweet](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/6HukcMID.m3u8) (1:28)  _Published 2017-06-29. The White House continued its defense of President Trump following a pair of controversial tweets about Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, which included a widely condemned comment about the latter's appearance._ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary A White House spokesperson defends President Trump's tweets about Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, arguing the president was attacked first and responds to personal insults. The speaker says the show's hosts and staff have been called derogatory names and says the media treats the president differently than previous administrations. The clip ends with the claim that the president will not back down from fights. ## Key points - The speaker says the president has been attacked on personal accounts by the program and will hit back when attacked. (00:00) - The speaker describes the American people as having elected someone tough, smart, and a fighter, and says Trump fights fire with fire. (00:17) - The speaker says the show has called Trump and numerous staff members, including the speaker, deeply personal names. (00:26) - The speaker says they perform their job day after day and then the president responds and defends himself, which people find surprising. (00:47) - The speaker claims that under the previous administration, similar attacks on the program would have been criticized by the rest of the media. (01:00) - The speaker lists the show's alleged insults as utterly stupid, personality disorder, and mentally ill, and says members were called liars to their faces. (01:02) - The speaker asserts that nobody but the president responds this way and that he will not step back. (01:21) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:17] Defense of the president's response. The speaker argues the president was attacked on personal accounts and will hit back when attacked. - [00:17 to 00:47] Fighting spirit and personal attacks. The speaker describes Trump as a fighter and says the show's personal attacks on him and his staff are deeply personal. - [00:47 to 01:28] Media double standard claim. The speaker contrasts the media's reaction to the current situation with the previous administration and concludes the president will not back down. ## Key quotes - [00:00] interviewer: "Did the president go too far with his tweet in it's deeply" - [00:17] unnamed White House spokesperson: "the American people elected somebody who's tough, who's smart, and who a fighter" - [00:22] unnamed White House spokesperson: "he fights fire with fire" - [01:02] unnamed White House spokesperson: "utterly stupid, personality disorder, mentally ill" - [01:21] unnamed White House spokesperson: "nobody does that but the President, he's not going to step back" ## Questions this video answers - Did the president go too far with his tweet? [00:00] - Why does the White House say the president responded to the show? [00:03] - What insults does the speaker say the show directed at the president and staff? [01:02] - How does the speaker say the media would have reacted under the previous administration? [01:00] - Will the president step back from the dispute? [01:21] ## Content suitability - politics [00:00-01:28]: Entire clip concerns a political dispute over presidential tweets. - hate [01:02-01:14]: Speaker repeats insulting characterizations of named individuals, including mental illness and personal insults. by [Kate Samuelson](https://time.com/author/kate-samuelson/) ## Kate Samuelson Jun 30, 2017 2:02 PM UTC The White House continued its defense of President Trump following a pair of controversial tweets about Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, which included a widely condemned comment about the latter's appearance. by [Kate Samuelson](https://time.com/author/kate-samuelson/) ## Kate Samuelson Jun 30, 2017 2:02 PM UTC President Donald Trump on Friday called [MSNBC’s](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/880771685460344832) _Morning Joe_ “fake news” after host [Joe Scarborough](http://time.com/4840932/mika-brzezinski-joe-scarborough-respond-trump-tweets/) alleged senior White House aides asked him to apologize to the President to prevent the publication of a negative story about Scarborough in the _National Enquirer._ “Watched low rated Morning Joe for first time in long time,” Trump tweeted Friday morning. “FAKE NEWS. He called me to stop a National Enquirer article. I said no! Bad show.” > [](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/880771685460344832) Scarborough made the allegation in a [scathing op-ed](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/donald-trump-is-not-well/2017/06/30/97759ee0-5d0f-11e7-9b7d-14576dc0f39d%5Fstory.html) he wrote with co-host Mika Brzezinski published in _The_ _Washington_ _Post_ Friday. Scarborough reiterated the claim on MSNBC, saying “the calls kept coming” about the potential story from three top White House aides. Scarborough has since responded to Trump’s tweet over the allegation, asking the President in a tweet why he keeps “lying about things that are easily disproven?” “I have texts from your top aides and phone record,” Scarborough wrote. “Also, those records show I haven’t spoken with you in many months.” > [](https://twitter.com/JoeNBC/status/880773832663085056) > [](https://twitter.com/JoeNBC/status/880773499408797697) The White House did not immediately respond to TIME’s request for comment on the alleged communications. “At the beginning of June, we accurately reported a story that recounted the relationship between Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the truth of which is not in dispute,” said Dylan Howard, vice president of _National Enquirer_ parent company American Media, Inc., in a statement Friday. “At no time did we threaten either Joe or Mika or their children in connection with our reporting on the story. We have no knowledge of any discussions between the White House and Joe and Mika about our story, and absolutely no involvement in those discussions.” Trump’s relationship with the _National Enquirer_ has long been the subject of controversy. The [_Wall Street Journal_](https://www.wsj.com/articles/national-enquirer-shielded-donald-trump-from-playboy-models-affair-allegation-1478309380) reported last year that David Pecker, longtime chief executive of American Media, Inc., paid $150,000 to a woman who alleged she had an affair with Trump, but did not publish the story. The recent spat between the President and MSNBC hosts Scarborough and Brzezinski began Thursday, when Trump [described the pair as](http://time.com/4839910/donald-trump-morning-joe-history/) “Psycho Joe” and “low I.Q. Crazy Mika” on Twitter, adding that Brzezinski once showed up to Mar-a-Lago “bleeding badly from a face-lift.” ## Transcript [00:00] Did the president go too far with his tweet in it's deeply [00:03] caution measure? I don't think so, I mean I think the [00:06] president has been attack [ UNKNOWN ] on personal [00:10] accounts by [ UNKNOWN ] on that program and I think he's [00:14] been very clear that when he gets attacked, he is gonna hit [00:17] back. I think the American people elected somebody who's [00:20] tough, who's smart, and who a fighter and that'd Donald [00:22] Trump And I don't think that it's a surprise to anybody that [00:26] he fights fire with fire. The things that this show has [00:30] called him, and not just him but numerous members of his [00:33] staff, including myself and many others, are very [00:38] deeply personal. So to then turn and pretend like This [00:43] approaches I guess it's kind of like we're living [00:47] in the twilight zone. I do this day after day after day and [00:51] then the president responds and defends himself and [00:55] everybody is uphold and blown away. Frankly, [01:00] if this had happened in the previous administration, the type [01:02] of attacks launched on this program, the things they say, [01:06] utterly stupid, personality disorder, mentally ill. Constant [01:10] personal attacks, calling multiple members liars. Liars to [01:14] their faces, while they're sitting on their programs. The rest [01:17] of the media would have said, guys! No way, hold on, but [01:21] nobody does that but the President, he's not going to step [01:24] back, he's showed that and that's exactly what he did [01:27] today. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4840993/donald-trump-joe-scarborough-national-inquirer/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4840993/donald-trump-joe-scarborough-national-inquirer/"},"headline":"'Fake News.' 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