MSNBC's popular morning talk show, "Morning Joe," was temporarily pulled from the air on Monday, July 15, 2024, following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend. The decision was made to avoid any potential inappropriate comments from the show's hosts or guests that could be used to criticize the program and network as a whole.

According to a source familiar with the matter, MSNBC decided to continue its rolling breaking news coverage of the shooting and its aftermath, rather than risk airing something that could be seen as inflammatory or offensive. The show, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, is known for its critical coverage of Trump, and the network feared that one of its guests might make an inappropriate comment on live television.

The absence of "Morning Joe" is particularly notable given the start of the Republican National Convention on Monday night. The show was expected to return to its regular schedule on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, despite the ongoing political news and the convention.

The decision to pull "Morning Joe" was made jointly by Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, and Rashida Jones, president of MSNBC, in conjunction with the show's hosts, Scarborough and Brzezinski.

The move has sparked criticism from some conservatives, who argue that the network is trying to control the narrative surrounding the assassination attempt and Trump's role in it. However, others have praised MSNBC for its cautious approach to a sensitive and complex story.

As the investigation into the assassination attempt continues, it remains to be seen how the incident will impact the political landscape and the upcoming election.