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Morning Joe snaps at Chuck Schumer over Iran war: 'You're not listening to me'
March 23, 2026 9:05AM ET
A congenial interview with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) grew tense Monday morning when MS NOW host Joe Scarborough became increasingly impatient with the Senate Minority leader — and snapped at him with “you don’t understand me.”
Schumer, who has been the subject of stories that some Democrats want him to step away from his leadership position, was asked about Donald Trump’s decision to back off on some of the attacks on Iran. That led to the “Morning Joe” co-host lecturing his guest on the public’s perception of the unprovoked war.
“First of all, is it a good thing that we're degrading Iran's military infrastructure?” the New York Democrat was asked, which led Schumer to focus on the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of gasoline.
“No, no, no, hold on a second,“ the MS NOW host protested. “You've got to answer my question first. Is it a good thing that Iran, I think you would agree with me, the epicenter of terrorism in the world since 1979, is it good that their military infrastructure is being degraded to the degree that it is? Yes or no?”
“You can't, because it's a premature question. What's going to happen in the next several months?” Schumer replied.
Scarborough cut him off with, “No, no, I can ask that question. You have the military side. You have the political side. I'm simply asking on the military side, is it good? Regardless of whether we agree with going in or not, is it good that Iran's military infrastructure has been seriously —.”
“Again, I have to tell you, Joe, first, you can't,” the lawmaker interrupted. “What's going to happen three months from now? Is it worth it? What's going to happen? Will the world economy collapse? Will something happen even worse? Will the whole energy infrastructure of the world go up in smoke?”
“Let me answer the question for everybody in America,” the exasperated Scarborough shot back as he held up his hands to the entire silent panel. “The answer is ‘yes’ it's good that that terrorist regime, their military has been and capabilities have been degraded radically. The question though, is political. It's the political question. What is the political impact? What's the impact in the streets? What's the impact in the region?”
“In all due respect, if you ask the American people if you have the choice of degrading the military, the military structure in Iran, but having gasoline be $6 a gallon, and our economy falling into a deep recession where millions lose their job," Schumer protested.
“Senator, you're not listening to me,” the MS NOW host shot back. “That's the political side.”
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