President Trump added another memorable moment to his long-running rivalry with the media Monday, using an Oval Office press availability to deliver a series of jokes aimed at the recently rebranded cable news network formerly known as MSNBC.
The exchange began when a reporter identified himself as representing “MSNOW” before asking a question. Before the reporter could continue, President Trump interrupted.
“You who?” Trump asked.
When the reporter repeated that he was with “MSNOW,” the president immediately responded with one of his trademark quips.
“MSNOW? What a terrible show,” Trump said. “They have the worst people in that show.”
The remark drew laughter from those gathered in the Oval Office, but the president was not finished. After briefly allowing the reporter to continue, Trump returned to the subject of the network itself.
“MSNOW. That’s the failed MSDNC, right?” Trump said, reviving the nickname he has used for years to criticize the left-leaning outlet. “They failed. They gave it a new name.”
The room again reacted with laughter as the president continued his critique.
“You know why?” Trump asked. “Because nobody watched it. And fewer people are watching it now.”
The lighthearted exchange quickly circulated across social media, where clips of the president’s comments spread among supporters and critics alike. It was another example of how Trump’s interactions with reporters often become some of the most widely shared moments from White House events.
The exchange also highlighted the network’s recent corporate changes. MSNBC officially adopted the name “MS NOW” following Comcast’s decision to spin the channel into a separate media company known as Versant, ending its long association with NBCUniversal.
Along with the new name came updated graphics, branding, and a marketing campaign built around the slogan, “Same mission. New name.” Network executives have emphasized that the rebranding reflects a corporate restructuring rather than any significant change in programming or editorial direction. Many of the network’s familiar anchors and opinion hosts remain in their existing time slots.
President Trump, however, made clear he sees the new name as little more than a fresh label on a familiar product.
For years, Trump has referred to MSNBC as “MSDNC,” suggesting the network operates more like an extension of the Democratic Party than an independent news organization. The nickname has become one of his most frequently repeated media jabs, appearing in campaign rallies, interviews, social media posts, and White House events throughout both of his administrations.
The president has also developed a reputation for turning routine press conferences into headline-making exchanges with reporters. Whether discussing policy, responding to criticism, or answering questions from journalists representing outlets he believes have treated him unfairly, Trump often injects humor, sarcasm, and pointed remarks into the conversation.
Supporters view those moments as evidence that the president is willing to challenge media organizations they believe have displayed bias against him. Critics argue the exchanges distract from substantive policy discussions and contribute to an increasingly combative relationship between the White House and the press.
Monday’s Oval Office exchange fit neatly into that familiar pattern. What began as a routine question from a reporter quickly turned into another viral moment, with President Trump using the opportunity to poke fun at a network he has criticized for years. Regardless of where viewers stand politically, the brief back-and-forth once again demonstrated Trump’s ability to transform an ordinary press availability into a widely discussed media moment.
Leave a Comment