Brzezinski defends Dems at SOTU: Why applaud Trump ‘the great dictator?’

MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski pushed back at criticism of Democratic lawmakers who didn’t applaud during President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, asking why they should applaud “the great dictator.”

Brzezinski’s comments came during a conversation on the show “Morning Joe” with pollster Frank Luntz, who was critical of the Democratic response to the speech.

“Why can’t they give him credit for a speech that went — that people had a chance to see — if you’re a Democrat, there was something there for you, if you’re a Republican, there’s something there for you, that it has specifics,” Luntz said, before getting cut off by Brzezinski. 

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“I think because he’s literally screwed everybody in that room over a few times too many. He’s been vulgar, he’s been racist,” she said. 

“It’s not fair. But this isn’t fair,” Luntz replied. 

“He has accused one of the senators in that room of giving sexual favors for money. He’s insulted the wife of a Republican senator in that room in the worst way possible,” Brzezinski added. 

“What about the speech?” Luntz asked three times during some crosstalk. 

“That room is supposed to respond like this,” Brzezinski said, simulating clapping, “to the great dictator?” 

“No, but they’re not supposed to sit on their hands … And I’m sorry but — but using a phrase ‘great dictator’ is not appropriate,” Luntz said. 

“Well, that’s how he feels of himself,” Brzezinski said. 

Co-host Joe Scarborough argued throughout the show that while the economy isn’t bad, Trump was wrong to take credit for its strong performace, which he feels should go to former President Obama. 

“Some of the things he said were true, some of them were false, some were just flat-out lies,” the former GOP congressman said. “Job growth was faster under Barack Obama over seven years, seven years after the collapse than it was last year under Donald Trump’s first year. 

“Wage growth was faster under Barack Obama if you adjust for inflation, or maybe about the same. Even the stock market, the S&P grew faster under Barack Obama than it did under Donald Trump,” Scarborough added. 

A Tuesday Gallup poll shows that 58 percent of Americans say they’re satisfied with the state of the economy, a 12-point rise from 46 percent as Obama left office.