Four killed, 20 injured in Ukraine as Russia continues to fire drones and missiles into cities

Summary

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Morning Joe – Episode Summary

Date: September 8, 2025
Main Hosts: Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist
Key Guests: Jonathan Lemire (The Atlantic), David Ignatius (Washington Post), Jeff Mason (Reuters), Pablo Torre (MSNBC/Metal Ark Media)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Morning Joe centers on escalating violence in Ukraine as Russia launches a massive new wave of drone and missile attacks, killing four and injuring at least 20 in Kyiv and other cities. The team scrutinizes the U.S. administration’s response, especially President Trump’s indecisiveness on imposing further sanctions, and analyzes implications for U.S.-European unity. The episode also tackles U.S. military actions against drug cartels in the Caribbean and ongoing domestic controversies, including politics in Chicago, mass deportations, and NFL and U.S. Open highlights.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Russia’s Escalating Attacks on Ukraine (04:43–10:29)

• Massive attacks: Russia launches over 800 drones and 13+ missiles, with the center of Kyiv hit, resulting in civilian casualties.

• Zelensky’s Statement: The Ukrainian President calls it a “deliberate crime.”

• Putin’s Motives: David Ignatius argues Putin seeks total dominance, not peace, insisting Ukraine be excluded from NATO and comply with Russian demands.

• U.S. & European Response:

  • President Trump discusses sanctions but hesitates to act decisively.
  • Senate, including many Republicans, remains ready to get tough but the White House delays.
  • European leaders’ anxiety rises as U.S. resolve appears to weaken.

  “What we're seeing is... an absolutely decisive, brutal statement by Vladimir Putin that he doesn't want a settlement of the war. He wants to win the war and he's prepared to keep fighting until he gets what he wants.” – David Ignatius (06:38)

  “There's real anxiety growing in Europe that Trump is not going to follow through with these sanctions, at least not in any meaningful way.” – Jonathan Lemire (10:29)

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2. U.S. Military Action Against Venezuelan Gang (11:29–19:05)

• Caribbean Strike: Pentagon strikes a boat with alleged Venezuelan cartel members, sparking sharp debate about legality and purpose.

• Vice President J.D. Vance’s Comments: He calls the killings the “highest and best use of our military,” stirring further controversy with inflammatory social media posts.

  “Democrats, let's send your kids to die in Russia. Republicans, actually let's protect our people from the scum of the earth.” – VP J.D. Vance via social media (11:29)

• Sen. Rand Paul’s Response: Denounces Vance’s remarks as “despicable and thoughtless,” highlighting due process concerns.

  “What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.” – Sen. Rand Paul (12:30)

• Panel Analysis:

  • David Ignatius: Urges legal rigor; military should question unlawful orders.
  • Mika Brzezinski: Highlights systemic issues of the administration’s judicial overreach, referencing mass deportations to El Salvador where most targets had no criminal records.
  • Jonathan Lemire: Notes this marks an expansion in military’s domestic role, predicting more such actions.

  “If the President wants to begin to use lethal force against drug smugglers, he should go to Congress... there's a question deeper here… military's responsibility to push back.” – David Ignatius (14:50)

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3. U.S. Domestic News and Political Maneuvering (20:43–37:21)

a. Mass Deportations and National Guard Deployment

• The Administration is intensifying ICE raids and discusses deploying the National Guard to Chicago, drawing pushback from local Democratic leaders.
• Concern expressed about bypassing due process in both the military and immigration enforcement arenas.

b. West Point Cancels Tom Hanks' Ceremony (23:03–30:26)

• A prestigious alumni event honoring Tom Hanks is abruptly scrapped, seemingly over political retaliation for Hanks' prior support of President Biden.
• Joe Scarborough: Decries politicization, calling it “remarkably petty.”
• Jonathan Lemire: Observes this is consistent with the administration’s pattern of retribution.

c. President Trump at US Open (27:19–30:52)

• Trump’s appearance at the US Open causes chaos—delayed matches, long security lines, and a mixed reaction of boos and cheers.
• Organizers requested networks not show reactions to Trump's attendance, spurring accusations of censorship.
• Ignatius: Points out, “If you want to go and impose the delays on people, you're going to have to let the public see how people are reacting to you.” (30:26)

d. NYC Mayoral Politics and National Democrats (33:02–37:21)

• Sen. Bernie Sanders and socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani rally in Brooklyn; Trump allies maneuver to consolidate the opposing field in favor of Andrew Cuomo.
• Jonathan Lemire: Notes Trump’s complex ties with Cuomo and the strategic calculus regarding Mamdani as a political foil.

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4. Sports Highlights: NFL and US Open (39:20–49:02)

a. NFL Week One (41:42–47:13)

• Buffalo Bills’ Comeback: Down 15 points in the last four minutes, the Bills rally to defeat Baltimore with a last-second field goal.

• Josh Allen & Lamar Jackson: Both turn in MVP-caliber performances.

• Panel jokes about New York sports misfortunes, including Aaron Rodgers’ and Daniel Jones’ post-NY successes.

  “Anytime you have the star quarterback, the MVP candidate in Josh Allen against Lamar Jackson, there is the heavyweight fight poster. That was the biggest game of the day.” – Pablo Torre (42:20)

b. US Open Recap (47:13–48:59)

• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner takes center stage, with the rivalry expected to become tennis’s next classic.

• Pablo Torre: Praises the depth and generational promise of Alcaraz and Sinner, buoyed by the “box office” nature of their clash.

  “It's also the fact that I think these two guys are gonna be doing this forever. They're so young. ... We're all better for it.” – Pablo Torre (48:39, 48:58)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David Ignatius on Putin’s Aggression:
  “He wants to win the war and he's prepared to keep fighting until he gets what he wants, which is essentially a capitulation by the Ukrainian government on key security issues.” (06:38)

• Rand Paul Rebuking VP Vance:
  “Did he ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? ... What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.” (12:55)

• Joe Scarborough on Administration’s Approach:
  “The White House simply hasn't done that yet. And even over the weekend, we did hear from President Trump a few times saying, well, it might be time for these sanctions. He's been saying that for weeks and yet he hasn't followed through.” (09:08)

• Mika on the Chilling Shift:
  "Now instead of transporting them, now these alleged gang members are just being killed, shoot first and nobody's around to ask questions later." (19:09)

• Pablo Torre on Sports Reality:
  “My Falcons are still the Falcons. LIR's Patriots are still the Patriots. The Giants are still the Giants. Now the jets. Oh, oh my lord. The jets are still the Jets.” (41:42)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Russia Attacks Ukraine / Putin’s Motives: 04:43–10:29
• US Strike on Venezuelan Gang & Legal Debate: 11:29–19:05
• Mass Deportations / National Guard Plans: 20:43–21:30
• Tom Hanks & West Point Ceremony Politics: 23:03–30:26
• Trump at US Open / Sports Security: 27:19–30:52
• NYC Mayoral Maneuvering: 33:02–37:21
• NFL Highlights / Buffalo Comeback: 39:20–47:13
• US Open Rivalry (Alcaraz vs Sinner): 47:13–48:59

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Tone & Style

Conversation remains sharp, informed, and urgent—blending in-depth analysis with trademark banter and sardonic quips. The hosts and guests balance hard-hitting policy critique with occasional levity, especially in sports segments.

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Transcript

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[Joe Scarborough]

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[Mika Brzezinski]

Different kind of a guy. He's got a lot of good ideas, but he's got a lot of ideas. You know, normally they don't have any ideas, and that's why we have problems with autism and so many other things, because we're coming up with the answers.

[Joe]

That was President Trump yesterday defending Robert F. Kennedy Jr. After a tense hearing last week on Capitol Hill. We're going to look at whether Republican lawmakers will try to convince the president to move on from the embattled HHS secretary. Meanwhile, pro protesters took to the streets of Chicago this weekend as the president continues to threaten the city with National Guard troops. Though we'll see what happens. We'll go through what the administration actually has planned for Chicago. We'll dig into new polling on how Americans are feeling about President Trump's handling of key issues, including immigration. Also ahead.

[Mika Brzezinski]

And there it is. Aryna Sabalenka defends her title at the U.S. open.

[Joe]

There was some great tennis over the weekend. We'll have a recap of the US Open for you all. And Joe, you enjoyed some of it, some of it, right?

[Mika Brzezinski]

Yeah, sure, sure did. Enjoyed, enjoyed it along with you. And also saw the women's finals on Saturday. Apparently I picked the right day to go as a fan yesterday. My gosh, the lines that were were backed up, a lot of people even missing the first set. It was, it was a mess getting in there yesterday but quite a, quite a tennis match actually broke out after all of the logistics got taken care of.

[Joe]

Exact. Have much more ahead with us. We have the co host of our fourth hour staff writer at the Atlantic, Jonathan Lemire, columnist and associate editor for the Washington Post, David Ignatius is with us and White House correspondent for Reuters, Jeff Mason is with us as well. Our top story this morning, Russia carried out more attacks.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Well, Mika, Mika, is the top story, the Bills, what the Bills did last night?

[Joe]

No.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Is that the top story? Because I think Jonathan o', Mear, is that not at the top of your list? I mean, it's not just an extraordinary comeback for, for season one game. I think Josh Allen may have locked down the mvp, you know, early in.

[Joe Scarborough]

September, Game of the year, week one, maybe. It was, I mean, it was so great to have the NFL back. It was sort of an uninspiring slate of games, as it turned out until last night. And it's the best show in sports right now is Josh Allen versus Lamar Jackson. The rate you both players making just extraordinary plays all day long. And let's add Derek Henry, too, for the Ravens. Baltimore builds a big lead. You think this thing is over? It is not. Baltimore. Buffalo comes flying back, Allen some tremendous plays, gets the deflection for the touchdown. Henry puts the ball on the ground for a fumble and then the late field goal wins it for Buffalo. So we'll have a lot more, of course, on the NFL throughout the morning. But Joe, last night, I mean, sign us up for Buffalo, Baltimore, let's see this again in January in the AFC title game.

[Mika Brzezinski]

And of course here too, two quarterbacks that have had trouble getting into the Super Bowl. But what a show last night. Mika, I know you stayed up to the very last Phil Gold, I couldn't believe it.

[Joe]

I just was like, I'm going to stay up. I'm going to stay up. Got to watch the dedication. Pablo's coming up. We'll talk about all of this. All right. Now we'll get to our top story. Turn Joe's mic off. Russia carried out more attacks in Ukraine through the weekend, launching over 800 drones and firing more than a dozen missiles at Kyiv and other cities on Saturday and Sunday. At least four people were killed in the capital and more than 20 others were injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attacks a, quote, deliberate crime. Russia, meanwhile, denied that its attacks targeted civilians, claiming they were aimed at transport, infrastructure and Ukraine's military industrial complex. Last night at Joint Base Andrews, President Trump said leaders from Europe will be in the States today and tomorrow to discuss the war in Ukraine.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Well, we're going to see, I mean, we have some very interesting discussions. You know, Europe, certain European leaders are coming over to our country on Monday or Tuesday and individually, and I think we're going to get that settled. I think we're going to get it settled. DAVID Ignatius since, since all the European leaders met in Washington, Vladimir Putin's attacks against Kyiv, against Ukraine have been absolutely savage. They've been the worst attacks over that time period than any time during the war. The president sounded yesterday like he may be moving towards sanctions at this stage. I'm not really sure how they could do anything but really start to put the pressure on Vladimir Putin because the attacks are more savage and more targeted at civilians than ever before, aren't they?

[David Ignatius]

So, Joe, yesterday's attacks were the largest of the war, more than 800 drones, 13 plus missiles. And more notably, they were on this, many of them were on the center of Kyiv. The Council of Ministers was hit. That's a building that many of us, when we're in Ukraine, go visit officials and has generally not been targeted in the war. What we're seeing is, I think, an absolutely decisive, brutal statement by Vladimir Putin that he doesn't want a settlement of the war. He wants to win the war and he's prepared to keep fighting until he gets what he wants, which is essentially a capitulation by the Ukrainian government on key security issues. He wants effective dominance of Ukraine's military. He certainly wants Ukraine out of NATO. The President Trump had hoped, I think admirably that he might be able to settle this war. But the Alaska summit was a bust. And although he talked yesterday about being willing to impose economic sanctions against Russia, I think most people are guessing right now that's simply not going to be enough to alter the course of this war. That people are going to have to think seriously about more weapons, a more decisive posture for Ukraine's supporters, especially the European countries. But yesterday was a chilling day for anybody who hopes this terrible war can come to an end anytime soon. My feeling is it's going to continue a long while. The death and destruction are only going to get worse.

[Mika Brzezinski]

And of course, the attacks, Jonathan O'Mir have been decidedly on Russia's side. The intensification of the attack since Anchorage, the continued slaughter of civilians since Anchorage, just the absolute brutal onslaught unprecedented in this war have happened since Anchorage. What are you hearing from the White House about any response that the president, the Senate, where an overwhelming majority of senators want to get tough on Russia. What are you hearing from the White House over this weekend as as Vladimir Putin's slaughter of Ukrainian civilians continue by the day?

[Joe Scarborough]

Yeah. And Russia's only ratcheted up their attacks since Anchorage for two reasons. One, certainly Putin believes he has some momentum in this war, at least time is on his side. And then secondly, as those around Washington believe, it's an open act of defiance against President Trump. Trump has said repeatedly and we've chronicled on this show, Joe, we've seen Trump's evolution growing more and more frustrated with Putin. The language has gotten tougher. No doubt Trump's been tougher on Putin the way he talks, but he hasn't really followed through with any actions outside of the one set of secondary sanctions, India. And clearly that hasn't been enough. The Senate's been ready to go. The Senate's been ready to go for months. And off the record, Republican senators, deeply frustrated, they've been waiting for the White House to give the okay. The White House simply hasn't done that yet. And even over the weekend, we did hear from President Trump a few times saying, well, it might be time for these sanctions. He's been saying that for weeks and yet he hasn't followed through. Jeff Mason so that's just it. Is there a sense right now that this is finally the moment where it could occur because there's real anxiety growing in Europe that Trump is not going to follow through with these sanctions, at least not in any meaningful way, that to David Ignatius point, maybe they wouldn't be enough anyway. And also the US Remains wishy washy as to what sort of role it may or may not play in keeping security guarantees in Europe whenever a peace deal does come?

[Jonathan Lemire]

Jonathan I think that's the key question. And we've been, there've just been so many moments that have seemed like the key moment over the last several months where, as you rightly said, the president has been showing increasing frustration, and he was showing increasing frustration before the Alaska summit and then he invited President Putin to come to the United States to meet with him. I asked him this last night on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. I asked him about the fact that he always talks about how good that relationship is, and yet he's not getting anything out of Putin that he wants. And he responded by again talking about their good relationship, but also repeating that he's not happy or he's not thrilled with what's going on. The big sort of policy question does that not being thrilled or not being happy translate into More action. And for the last several months, it hasn't. Things are ready, and Secretary Bessen talked about that on Meet the Press yesterday. But the question is, will they bring that over the finish line in terms of actually putting secondary sanctions into place?

[Joe]

Well, we have an update for you now on the military strike carried out by the Pentagon on a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean. According to the White House, the attack targeted members of a powerful Venezuelan gang. On Saturday, Vice President J.D. vance posted the following message on social media, quote, killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military. He followed that by writing, quote, democrats, let's send your kids to die in Russia. Republicans, actually let's protect our people from the scum of the earth. When another user suggested that assassinations without due process amount to war crimes, Vance wrote back, quote, I don't give a blank what you call it. That's when Republican Senator Rand Paul jumped in writing, J.D. i don't give a blank. Vance says killing people he accuses of a crime is the highest and best use of the military. Did he ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? Did he ever wonder what might happen if the accused were immediately executed without trial or representation? What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial. Joe, that's a little bit of an interesting back and forth between J.D. vance and Rand Paul.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Yeah, it's two Republicans, one Republican celebrating blowing things out of the water, killing people without a trial. And of course, he's also part of the same administration that swore they would only send hardened criminals to a maximum security prison in El Salvador. And yet Axios and multiple other outlets reported that the administration got that wrong time and time again. The people that they sent to El Salvador, up to 75, 80% were sent with no criminal record in the United States or across the globe. So again, the shoot first, ask questions later attack. Obviously, David Ignatius, with all the mistakes this administration has made with their approach to whether it's deporting migrants or other things. It is. Rand Paul obviously brings up a very important point, a chilling point and to a much larger level to have a vice president of the United States trying to just provoke on X talking about, oh, they want to send your kids to Russia to die, nobody wants to send their kids to Russia to die. That's just a lie. It's just an absolute, total lie. And yet that somehow his justification for the celebration of using the military to blow up people in a boat without any due process whatsoever so good for.

[David Ignatius]

Rand Paul for calling this out directly and bluntly. What many national security lawyers are asking is whether the President has any foundation in law for this attack. It appears to have been a drone or helicopter attack on a boat carrying what appear to have been drug smugglers who were associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren D Aragua. I'm sure they're, you know, terrible people doing despicable crimes, but that's not what our military is for. We have specific procedures for enforcing laws against smuggling drugs into the United States. We are not at war with these drug cartels as Vice President Vance suggests. And you can't make up a legal rationale for that on the spot just because you think they're bad people. The Coast Guard is charged with this responsibility. If the President wants to begin to use lethal force against drug smugglers, he should go to Congress. He should. He should find a way to authorize it legally. But there's a question deeper here, Joe, I think, which is what's the military's responsibility to push back? Are military supposed to obey lawful orders? But that doesn't mean that they're exempt from thinking carefully. Is this a lawful order that I've been given? Whoever was told to fire on this boat carrying the drug smugglers needs to have asked, am I being given a lawful order by the Commander in chief? And we're at the point where we really need to insist that as part of our country, the way our country works, the military will obey the President, obey the Commander in Chief, but will ask the appropriate questions, as Rand Paul did, as the Senator bravely did. And I think we're going to have a serious debate now about what are the limits of the President's authority to use force. You can't just say, you know, I'm going after this. You need legal authority.

[Mika Brzezinski]

And of course, Jonathan O'Mir, the reason why Rand Paul started his tweet, for the uninitiated, if you're just looking at that tweet, he called him J.D. quote, I don't give a shit, quote, Vance is again, Vance's response, the Vice President of the United States. Response to somebody suggesting that it might be a war crime. And J.D. vance's response was, quote, I don't give a shit.

[Joe Scarborough]

Yeah. And the Vice President seems to view his role as just trash talker. He goes on social media all the time and picks fights with, with this case, a fellow Republican, but journalists and others. And maybe that speaks to the limits of the powers of the office. But J.D. vance, it's certainly not just it's childish, but also there are real concerns, as David just said, about the legality of this strike. And I did some reporting on this last week as well. And this is a changing role for the United States military where it's fighting crime, if you will. Like these are drug smugglers, allegedly, although there's yet to be evidence produced as to exactly who these people were, what they had. Also, we're seeing the National Guard on the streets of the United States in Washington for now. And we keep hearing threats about other cities, including the president, United States invoking a Vietnam apocalypse now reference about sending the US Military, now the Department of War to Chicago in the days ahead. And Mika, I don't think this is going to end anytime soon. As part of our reporting last week on this strike, U.S. officials that we spoke to said that they thought this was a very effective tactic here. They wanted to try something new in terms of combating gangs and drugs, drug smuggling, and those are noble causes, of course, but maybe not like this. And they think there's going to be more of this. We're seeing this posture of more and more US Military assets in the Caribbean potentially targeting gangs, particularly those associated with Venezuela. I wouldn't bet this will be a one off.

[Joe]

We'll be following that, Joe.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Well, I mean, but here's the thing. Targeting gangs, targeting gangs, blowing them out of the water because they have decided unilaterally that they were gangs, just like they decided unilaterally who were dangerous criminals, who were dangerous members of gangs that they shoved onto transport planes and took to a maximum security prison in El Salvador because apparently these people had committed heinous crimes on the streets of the United States and were gang members. And again, after they get down there, we find out 75, 80, some news sources say up to 90% of the people rounded up off the streets, shoved onto those transport planes sent down to El Salvador, while judges are telling them to stop because they're not criminals because they didn't get due process. We find out later that 75, 80, 90% of those people sent down to El Salvador, according to the news reports, were not people and gangs who had committed these crimes that the administration claimed that they did. So now instead of transporting them, now these alleged gang members are just being killed, shoot first and nobody's around to ask questions later.

[Joe]

I guess it's pretty chilling. We'll stay on top of this. And still ahead on Morning Joe, the White House is looking to ramp up its mass deportation efforts, launching new ICE raids in Massachusetts. We'll bring you the latest on that. Plus, President Trump appears to suggest going to war with Chicago. We'll dig into that and the reaction it is receiving from Democratic leaders. And a reminder, the Morning Joe Podcast available each weekday, featuring our full conversations and analysis. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts. You're watching Morning Joe. We'll be right back.

[Mika Brzezinski]

At a time like this, we can't forget that the fight for a brighter future isn't defined by any single mind moment. It's defined by the work we do, the values we stand for, and the commitment we make to each other each and every day. Please consider making a gift to the Obama foundation today.

[Joe Scarborough]

It's the best way to support our mission and help these young leaders continue.

[Mika Brzezinski]

To build a fairer, kinder, more hopeful future for all of us.

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[Joe]

Welcome back. It's 22 past the hour. Time now for a look at some of the other stories making headlines this morning. The Catholic Church has a new saint, a millennial known as God's influencer. Carlo Acutis died of leukemia in 2006 when he was just 15 years old. He was a computer whiz who taught himself how to program and build a website cataloging more than 100 miracles around the world. Pope Leo set his example, serves as an invitation to all of us, especially young people, to not squander life, but rather make it a masterpiece. Former President Joe Biden has landed on a location for his presidential library. The center will be constructed in Delaware, the state he represented in the US Senate for more than 30 years. As the AP reports, the library will include an immersive museum and serve as a hub for leadership, service and civic engagement. Now comes the effort to raise tens of millions of dollars to fund the site's development. And an alumni group at West Point is scrubbing a ceremony meant to recognize actor and veterans advocate Tom Hanks. The prestigious award is intended to highlight those who exemplify duty, honor and country. In announcing the move, the group said the cancellation would allow the academy to focus on preparing its cadets for the future. As the Washington Post reports, the email did not say whether Hanks award has been revoked or if it will be presented in some other format in 2020. Hanks participated in a campaign fundraiser with Joe Biden. Joe, what's going on here?

[Mika Brzezinski]

You. I was just going to ask Jonathan Lemire or Jeff Mason if they do what was going on. I mean here's a guy. Of course we, we could talk about saving Private Ryan. We could talk about Band of Brothers. We could talk about the Pacific, we could talk about Greyhounds. We could talk about a man, a Hollywood star, one of the. One of the biggest Hollywood stars of our time who has spent his most of his movie career, Jonathan, celebrating the heroism of those in uniform, those fighting for the United States of America and fighting for democracy. It certainly seems strange that this West Point group decided to take away this ceremony after putting it out there. What can you tell us?

[Joe Scarborough]

Yeah, you'd be hard pressed to find a Hollywood actor or a pop culture figure who's done more to celebrate what is good about the US military in recent decades than Tom Hanks. And this appears to be. And I'll go to Jeff Mason. Jeff, it certainly appears to be another moment of low scale sort of retribution or everything is politics now where whether it's the president or the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth or the like, who are just. Who don't. Who cannot handle any sort of opposition, who, like if you, like if you supported the Democrats, if you supported Joe Biden. Biden, then you're out. You're deemed woke or weak or whatever justification you wanna have. And it's simply, this is not, you know, it just seems so remarkably petty.

[Jonathan Lemire]

And it trickles down to everything from major decisions to more minor. If you wanna call this a minor decision, Jonathan. I mean the history that the President has shown over the last several months since coming into office of retribution as you rightly say includes denigrating people who he just doesn', who he doesn't like because they didn't support him. I thought it was interesting yesterday at the US Open that Bruce Springsteen was there. Springsteen, of course, was a big supporter of President Biden and President Obama. And President Trump has criticized him. He's criticized Hamilton when Hamilton pulled out of coming to the Kennedy center and said he never really liked that musical. It's all in line with just that kind of an attitude towards people who.

[Joe]

Don'T support and speaking of the Open, President Donald Trump's visit to the US Open in New York City caused significant delays and frustrations for attendees. Trump was met with a mix of boos and cheers as he entered Arthur Ashe Stadium Yesterday, just as 15 minutes before the highly contested match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sick, the final in the men's singles. This was his first time attending the US Open since 2015. The stadium was only 10% full at the time of Trump's arrival. I had friends in this crowd and I was getting a lot of video coming in. Everyone looked miserable. Many spectators faced hours long delays to clear security because of long lines, officials delayed the match by a half hour to give fans more time to get their seats. But quite frankly, frankly, a lot of people missed the first set or many of the first games. President Trump before he watched yesterday's match at the US Open. The United States Tennis association asked broadcasters not to air any, quote, disruptions or reactions in response to the president's attendance in any capacity. While critics said the move amounted to censorship, others pointed to a routine policy where broadcasters are asked to avoid showing interruptions like people running onto the field. I mean, I think they were trying to avoid the booze. Let's just, let's kind of. I've never heard of that happening before. Maybe I'm wrong. I mean, I've never heard of that. Yeah, happening.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Well, I don't know. Let's talk to somebody much wiser than us, David Ignatius. We can ask him if he's ever heard of it before. You know, it's interesting, David, as I'm sitting there, I was watching the crowds outside and of course everybody's, you know, not happy about that at all. At the same time, I'm sure the US Tennis association of the US Open would be glad any time to have a president of the United States at their event. So I will say the US Open, what Mick and I saw was run remarkably well. Yes. Throughout the entire time. They're just extraordinary how they Moved people in and out. But yes, I was sitting there watching the crowds outside, understanding how angry they were. At the same time, you sit there going, well, if you could get a, if you get a present to an event, that's not a bad thing. So I'm just wondering exactly how you do that.

[David Ignatius]

So, Joe, the same problem arises when the President wants to go to the super bowl, any of these huge events. The security required is enormous. No way around that. And so it does impose delays on people. The idea that the President can go to one of these public venues wanting to be seen, but somehow the reaction to his being there will be suppressed. So you don't know whether people are cheering or booing.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Ridiculous.

[David Ignatius]

That's not on. If you want to go and impose the delays on people, you're going to have to let the public see how people are reacting to you. You interesting to see Steve Witkoff is ambassador to everywhere, sitting next to him at the US Open. But if the President wants to go watch a little tennis as opposed to golf, as a tennis player, I'm all for it.

[Joe Scarborough]

And Mika, David's right that certainly anytime any president of any party goes to an event like this, there's going to be major security issues, there are going to be delays. They even pushed back the start of the match. But an effort to suppress the reaction. We live in an age of cell phones, we live in an age of social media. And very quickly these clips went viral. Yes, there was a few cheers mixed in, but it was largely booze, I'm sure some of it frustration because of the long lines outside and also because simply this event is being held in New York City. We know President Trump not particularly popular in his former hometown.

[Joe]

All right, the Washington Post, David Ignatius, thank you very much. His latest piece is available to read online right now. White House correspondent for Reuters, Jeff Mason. Thank, thank you as well for your reporting. And coming up, Pablo Torre will help us break down all of the action from week one in the NFL. Morning Joe is coming right back.

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[Joe]

35 past the hour. Look at that beautiful shot of New York City. And speaking of New York City, mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont rallied in Brooklyn this weekend as part of Sanders national Fighting Oligarchy tour. The duo slammed President Trump while sharing their shared progress message as Mamdani works to energize his base in the final weeks of the race.

[Joe Scarborough]

The interconnectedness of an attack on working people all to enrich those same billionaire donors that gave us Donald Trump's second term. This is a city where we will choose our own mayor.

[Mika Brzezinski]

It's not going to be Donald Trump. Trump, you have the president of the United States working to make it harder for him to get elected. So what are these people, these oligarchs afraid of? Seems to be a nice guy, dresses very nice, beautiful smile.

[Joe]

President Trump has said he wants to see the Duke candidates drop out of the race. This as the New York Times reports, Trump allies are considering offering jobs to Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in an effort to boost former Governor Andrew Cuomo's chances of winning. Jonathan Le Maire, what's going on here?

[Joe Scarborough]

Yeah, the president wants this to be a one on one race that he believes that Cuomo has the best chance to beat Mamdani and that would be hindered if Sliwa and Mayor Adams he polls the best. I think anyone though would be a significant underdog to Mamdani even in a one on one race. But a one on one race would be closer. In a divided field like this, Mandani is going to skate to a victory. The rumors are swirling about Adams to the point the current mayor. On Friday, the mayor had to hold a news conference to declare that he's staying in the race, at least for now, because there's been reporting this could be an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia. There's been reporting about the potential of a job at Hud for the mayor and he is, Joe. And I talk to people close to the mayor is toying with the idea, though. Even though he said on Friday he's staying in, he has not ruled out entirely jumping out of the race and into the administration. Curtis Slew, the Republican, doesn't seem to be entertaining this. He wants to keep running.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Yeah.

[Joe Scarborough]

It's also unclear, Joe, whether or not this would actually help Andrew Cuomo. Because if Andrew Cuomo is seen as benefiting from President Trump stepping into the race, that's only going to drive more voters to Mandani.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Well, what I don't understand is from the White House side of this, politically, wouldn't they prefer to have a Democratic socialist as mayor of New York City that they could play off all the time like they play off against AOC or Nancy Pelosi or Bernie Sanders. You would think they would love, especially with, you know, these wars on cities, the ship Shipocalypse or whatever you call it. You would think they would love to have a political target to just constantly hammer away at.

[Joe Scarborough]

Yeah, I mean, I was told in recent weeks by people around the president that that was their thinking, that they think, they respect Mamdani's talent as a political athlete, but they thought that, okay, well, he'd be a good foil. But Trump himself seems a little less sure of that. And he actually does seem to like Andrew Cuomo. The two men have spoken about how they've just known each other for a long time. Obviously they've been at odds, you know, repeatedly, including when Cuomo was governor of New York during the pandemic. So let's not suggest these men are allies by any means. But Trump privately has said he respects Cuomo. He likes Cuomo, he likes the Cuomo family name, he likes the connection to the Kennedys, all that. So that's playing a role here too, Mika. But I do think that at the end of the day, the White House probably would prefer Mamdani as a political foil, you know, and certainly Mamdani is the favorite to win. Even if this does eventually winnow down to a two person race or a three person race, it'd be difficult for him to lose as the Democratic nominee and now getting some national support as well.

[Joe]

Absolutely. All right. Still ahead on Morning Joe, health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is reportedly set to announce a link between autism and Tylenol use during pregnancy policy. We'll dig into that report from the Wall Street Journal and the impact this could have on public health. Plus, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky Will be our guest this morning Morning Joe will be right back.

[Mika Brzezinski]

New England defense hold Bowers in motion first and goal genting so much power he's gonna bang it in extra jumbo package on third and goal play action Burrow throws wide open touchdown no offense on seconded goal Murray left side pass completes Marvin Harrison touchdown Cardinal Jones with time touch pass he's got a man Pittman touchdown.

[Joe Scarborough]

Gonna give it.

[Mika Brzezinski]

To Samuel and around looking for blocks get some Samuel is in touchdown Commanders Brian Thomas Jr. Is in for a Jacksonville touchdown Ah 60 yard attempt it would be a new career long for Boswell for the lead sweeps the leg 60 yer he's got it they field on first down throws Elo touchdown four man rush nicks pumps throws got him in it's Sutton hits a touchdown Dobbs.

[Joe Scarborough]

Would be a guy they expect would come up big in this game and.

[Mika Brzezinski]

He has so far here he is throwing to the end zone he's got a tough sound pass to Jaden Reed.

[Joe Scarborough]

That'S you saying that we got two.

[Mika Brzezinski]

We got two one wide receivers Stanford end zone caught touchdown grabbed by the tight end he swing down into the end zone wasn't open perfect Purdy keeping it alive Brock Purdy loves one hit it is tangents touchdown San Francisco those look at some of the big plays yesterday and they're winning teams across the NFL. Let's go now though to Buffalo for last night's really incredible finish. I mean the fourth quarter just an unbelievable comeback against the Baltimore Ravens by Josh Allen's bill. As the clock runs down Prater lines up for a game winning field goal. Open their final season in this stadium with a stunning combat win. Matt Prater with the game's winning field goal just days after the 41 year old signed with the team because of an injury to the Bills starting kicker. Now get this. Buffalo is down 15 points 15 points in the final four minutes but rallied in a frantic finish complete with tips to win win in the fourth quarter. Let's bring it right now the host of Pablo Torre finds out on Metal Arc media MSNBC contributor Pablo Torre so Pablo, for people that didn't watch any games yesterday, let me just quickly summarize. Just, just, just to save them hundreds and hundreds of hours of viewing please. All the time, all the time I wasted yesterday. This is what we found out yesterday. My Falcons are still the Falcons. LIR's Patriots are still the Patriots. The Giants are still the Giants. Now the jets. Oh, oh my lord. The jets are still the Jets. Yeah, I mean, I mean so now.

[Pablo Torre]

Play is the back page of the post sports. Which is the right response.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Exactly. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Well, because he's not the jets uniform, you are. So here, here's the thing. It seems to me a lot of, lot of kind of middling games yesterday, which was unusual because it wasn't that way last year, but it seems to be. Pablo, two big storylines here. One, obviously Josh Allen and the Bills, but also the packers dominating the Lions pretty much for four quarters. That was one of the biggest surprises and I think one of the big stories of week one. What did you see?

[Pablo Torre]

Oh, look, I. The Jordan and Love thing. I want to lead with that because Jordan Love is taking a leap. The Lambo leap. Pun intended, I suppose. But this is the guy, by the way, who replaced Aaron Rodgers. For those who are just catching up on the lore of him and the Lions. Yeah, this is. It was, I believe, your super bowl pick last year. It might have been a reasonable super bowl pick this year. And that offense, it's a 13 points there. That is the disappointment. That is the eye opener because look, Jared Goff is an MVP candidate. That's how good he's been since going over there. And they basically enter with a whimper, right? So that's the story of. Yeah, of the NFC right there in that picture. But last night, I mean, the Josh Allen thing, we can go to that game. If you can return to that for a second. Anytime you have the star quarterback, the MVP candidate in Josh Allen against Lamar Jackson, there is the heavyweight fight poster. That was the biggest game of the day. Yes, we waited for it. Underneath this very thin layer of powder are the bags under my eyes, which validate that I stayed up for it. But I'll tell you who did it. A bunch of people in Buffalo. And Josh Allen post game was like, I saw people in Buffalo. I saw our fans leave the building. And look, anytime Josh Allen a player points that out post game, it's an indication of. Of you really gave up on us, huh? But, but the, but the reason why I think is fairly understandable, Joe, as.

[Jonathan Lemire]

You put it, 15 in the.

[Pablo Torre]

My voice is cracking.

[Mika Brzezinski]

15 in the fourth.

[Pablo Torre]

You know, this is, this was Josh Allen prime time regular season. I don't know if there's a better player given that particular set of circumstances. It seems like a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot. I come in bleary eyed saying, look at, look at the super soldier Josh Allen do it again in the regular season. And this was an incredible way to start the season.

[Mika Brzezinski]

It was an incredible game, incredible way to start the season. And Jonathan Lemaire, you. You, of course, we're all talking this morning about Josh Allen, but Lamar Jackson, what a game. And my gosh, Derek Henry just running up and down the field all night. That guy, an incredible running back. You know, he's a lot like Chapman with the Red Sox. He keeps getting better with. I'm not exactly sure how he does it, talk about that, but also, I want to just circle back and say, not only were the Lions going to the earlier Lions, packers game, not only was that my pick last year, that was my pick this year. And I think when we went around the table last week, most of the people picked the Lions, but, man, a slow start for Dan Campbell's team.

[Joe Scarborough]

Yeah, my Buffalo Green Bay pick looks pretty good after one day. One day.

[Mika Brzezinski]

But you're right. Yeah.

[Joe Scarborough]

First of all, last night, you're right. I mean, it was. What a marvelous game. Lamar Jackson, who many people think could have. Should have won the MVP last year, Allen got it, but he and Alan, I mean, it was. They. They played to a draw. The two of them were spectacular. Allen got the ball last. Derrick Henry defies age. He's well past the prime, usually for running backs. He continues to do it. I know his night was marred somewhat by that fumble at the end, but he was spectacular throughout that. But it also was a relief. Pablo, we were talking about earlier that this was a. It was a pretty ragged week one, and I think that's becoming more. Last year might have been the exception that's becoming more and more the trend because so few of these guys play in the preseason, you know, for fear of injuries in the new CBA and all that, which makes sense. But it leads to week one being. Being a little suspect. But the packers looked really good yesterday, and we do have to spend a moment. I mean, Aaron Rodgers, yeah, hated here in New York because of the way, you know, first year he gets hurt, four plays in, fine. Last year he's terrible and a bad attitude throughout. And he comes into MetLife Stadium yesterday and throws four touchdowns and they win.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah. Probably the pettiest athlete in sports.

[Joe Scarborough]

Yes.

[Pablo Torre]

You know, just a guy who was told by the head coach of the New York jets, we don't want you. And post game, Aaron Rodgers says that was. Yes, if you were wondering, very motivational for me, Aaron Rodgers. And look, the thing about Rogers also, man, it's. It's a New York thing. Like, the comedy of me walking in with these tabloids is that it's not just Aaron Rodgers who looks like he is the best version of himself after leaving the Jets. It's also a gentleman by the name of Daniel Jones, by the way, former Giants quarterback. I wish, I wish Richard Haas was here just so I could really, I do most, I want to just, I want, I want an EKG reading of Richard Haas this morning because Daniel Jones was a laughing stock and rightfully so on the way out of the New York Giants. And now here he is with the Colts starting quarterback, three times touchdowns, two on the ground. It looks like he is the best version of himself. So this is New York Sports in a very, I would say, I don't know, appropriately cosmic, taunting.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Way.

[Pablo Torre]

I think I enjoy.

[Mika Brzezinski]

Yeah, I know you do. So speaking of New York sports, we'll talk about New York sports at its best. The fine people who put on the US Open every year. What an incredible open it was this year.

[Joe]

Amazing.

[Mika Brzezinski]

And I'm just curious, curious, where do you place the Alcaraz center competition? The rivalry? Is this going to be our Bjorg McEnroe?

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah. So I'm glad you went there because the tripod had been the story. Right? So the previous mantle was held by three men. It was Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. Djokovic is still hanging around in the periphery, but it's a two men head to head competition. Like these guys. If you made every major just, I don't know, like a seven game series between these two guys, I think everybody would be okay with it. It's effectively what we're getting. And so Sinner being like, again, not to just devolve into caricature, but him being the stayed focused, calm, almost emotionless Italian. And then on the other hand, this guy, the heir to the Vamos throne, left by Nadal, sleeveless, now hair shorn, young, handsome, wildly athletic, emotional like that dude. I mean, the box office emotion is one thing. It's also the fact that I think these two guys are gonna be doing this forever. They're so young.

[Joe]

They're really young.

[Pablo Torre]

They're so unbelievably powerful.

[Joe Scarborough]

And Sinner afterwards said as much. He was like, look, you know, I became, my game became a little too predictable. I might even have have to like retool. And even if that means losing some tournaments along the way because I have to get to another level because of this guy. He talked about how his rivalry with Alcaraz probably will define the sport for years to come. We're all better for it.

[Pablo Torre]

Yes.

[Joe]

So exciting. Pablo Torre. Thank you. Always good to see you.

[Pablo Torre]

Thank you.

[Joe]

And I'll. I'll make sure Richard is here for you next time.

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