In an interview with Politico’s Glenn Thrush, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough talks about his relationship with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump–and the candidate’s closeness with CNN boss Jeff Zucker.
“He and Zucker are very close,” Scarborough says. “Zucker personally calls Trump … he books Trump … and Trumps laughs and calls Zucker ‘my personal booker’ because Zucker will call Trump. He hasn’t said that publicly, but he’s said it. I’ve said it publicly now. Trump will laugh every time Zucker calls.”
Scarborough’s presumed closeness to Trump has led to criticism, but Scarborough says being “friends” with Donald Trump is on Trump’s terms:
“I’ve known him for 10, 11, 12 years, and we’re friends, but currently he’s angry with me,” he said. “You know, he’ll call me once every three weeks, ‘Joe, you’re a good guy,’ and I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, for now, this second…’ I am his friend, but to be Donald Trump’s friend is be somebody that says hello in short verse. It’s like… ‘Hey, Joe, thank you so much for being here. Isn’t this the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen? You were great. I love you. You’re wonderful.’”
“I think that is a friendship in Donald Trump’s mind. But I will tell you, I’ve never sat down and had dinner with the guy,” he added.