In a surprising twist, MSNBC’s Morning Joe hosts reacted with astonishment following the endorsement of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris by a publication long known for its conservative economic stance, The Economist. The support for Harris over former President Donald Trump has shocked both MSNBC financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin and host Mika Brzezinski, who noted that an endorsement of this nature is rare, considering the publication’s historically conservative alignment.
“This is not considered some liberal bastion or anything,” remarked Sorkin during Thursday’s segment. Brzezinski echoed his surprise, adding, “I did not see this coming.” The unexpected endorsement emphasizes the risks a second Trump administration could pose to both the global economy and international security.
The Economist, based in the United Kingdom, has traditionally supported policies promoting free trade and fiscal conservatism, aligning it more with conservative leaders. However, the editorial board has taken a firm stance against Trump, arguing that his policies and administration could bring about unprecedented instability on a global scale. The endorsement elaborates, saying, “We hope that a second Trump presidency would avoid disaster, but Mr. Trump poses an unacceptable risk to America and the world.” The publication pointed out that, unlike Trump, Harris does not carry the same potential for destabilizing the economy or straining alliances.
Brzezinski highlighted the significance of this endorsement, which underscores the risks posed by a Trump presidency to the world’s economic and political equilibrium. “That’s powerful,” she commented, pointing to the publication’s statement on Trump as a critical message about his impact on allies and the global economy.
Although Sorkin admitted that part of The Economist‘s position was foreseeable, he emphasized the practical financial implications at the heart of the decision. “Currently, no matter how you do the math, it is hard to justify Trump on economic policies,” he explained, nodding to the publication’s usual emphasis on financial stability.
