Joe Scarborough of MSNBC admonishes the media for their continued outrage over Trump's meeting: "Grow up!"

Joe Scarborough of MSNBC criticized his liberal peers in the traditional media for their persistent protests about his and Mika Brzezinski's meeting with President-elect Donald Trump last month.

On "Morning Joe" on Thursday, Scarborough responded to an article by The Atlantic's David Frum, who argued that the MSNBC hosts are now living in "fear" as Trump returns to the White House.

Scarborough stated that he is not fearful of leadership, as anyone who has worked in the front office of NBC and MSNBC over the past 22 years or served with him in Congress can attest to his lack of fear.

"We went to speak with the president-elect, but some people wrote false articles about us. However, we did what was expected of us in the corporate world - we kept quiet. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving and shrugged off any criticism of our guests and friends. But what we didn't realize was that the main issue was our use of the word "fascist" to describe Donald Trump's rhetoric during the campaign. We also had an off-the-record comment with the New York Times and the Washington Post."

Brzezinski interjected, saying, "I believe folks from The Atlantic might be doing that."

"Scarborough stated that if given the chance to speak with the incoming president and president-elect on background, reporters would take it. In fact, during a series of articles that falsely accused them, reporters said they would be fired if they didn't have the opportunity to speak with the incoming president. The New York Times and New York Post journalists, as well as those at The Washington Post, would be fired if they didn't take the opportunity to speak with the president on background."

"The only difference between our actions during that visit and what other media outlets, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal, do is that we were transparent and told you about it. If you're not familiar with how the media works, you might be surprised by this sudden change. However, for media reporters to lie or pretend that this is a shock in order to get clicks is their job. The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times are all doing the same thing, saying 'How dare they go see him after they said he was a fascist'."

Scarborough contended that he could simultaneously label Trump a "fascist" and engage with him in order to gain insight into his character, which he could then share with his audience.

"Scarborough emphasized that all the reporters on the show are professionals who speak on background every day. He later expressed his frustration with the current situation and wished everyone would focus on their job, which is to talk to people who will determine the future of the country over the next four years."

Brzezinski maintained that her private meeting with Scarborough and Trump was not a "kissing the ring" or "bending the knee," asserting it was a "serious discussion."

"Brzezinski commended his critics for their persistence in pushing the narrative that the article was sad and fear-inducing, saying, "Good job. Good job." However, he also criticized their hatred and inability to see that they were playing into the hands of negative forces by causing division. Brzezinski emphasized that the media should be focusing on doing their jobs and meeting with the president-elect, rather than engaging in partisan battles."

CNN is doing it. Do we judge CNN for doing it? No, because it's their job. Grow up, it's their job. The only thing we did that caused the Twitter storm is that we told you. If you don't want to know everything that we do, that's okay. But in this case, transparency was the best option, Scarborough said before moving on.

On Wednesday, a disagreement between Frum and the "Morning Joe" hosts started after Frum made a joke about Planet Chronicle and Trump's Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on their program. Brzezinski later stated that Frum's comment was inappropriate given the current context.

Frum wrote an article titled "The Sound of Fear on Air," interpreting Brzezinski's mild reprimand of his remark as a foreboding indication of the country's impending second Trump presidency.

"If our public affairs discussion forums are already feeling intimidated and responding with appeasement efforts, it is a very ominous thing, according to Frum. He writes this with the understanding that he may never return to the television platform he enjoys and has benefited from as both viewer and guest. Frum does not write to scold anyone, but rather to spread fear, which he believes will paralyze us all."

Frum will be appearing on "Morning Joe" on Friday, as Scarborough confirmed that he remains invited to the show.