“I Did Not See This Coming”: Economist’s Surprising Endorsement of Kamala Harris Shocks MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’

In an unexpected twist, the United Kingdom-based publication The Economist has issued a compelling endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, sparking surprise on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Known for its fiscally conservative leanings, The Economist has historically supported economic conservatism and free-market policies, making this endorsement a shock to both anchor Mika Brzezinski and New York Times financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin.

“This is not considered some liberal bastion or anything,” Sorkin said during Thursday’s broadcast, acknowledging The Economist’s longstanding conservative stance. Brzezinski echoed his surprise, admitting, “I did not see this coming.” This endorsement marks a significant shift in the publication’s stance, as it decisively declined to endorse former President Donald Trump—a choice that left the Morning Joe team taken aback.

The Economist editorial board did not shy away from presenting its concerns over Trump’s potential impact on both the global economy and national security. The publication criticized Trump’s supporters for “deluding themselves” about the risks that another Trump term could bring, positioning Harris as a far more stable choice for leadership. “You cannot imagine [Harris] bringing about a catastrophe,” the editorial reads.

It continues with a sober warning: “We hope that a second Trump presidency would avoid disaster, but Mr. Trump poses an unacceptable risk to America and the world.” This endorsement strikes a significant tone in the ongoing political discourse, suggesting that conservative principles may be best upheld by avoiding a second Trump term. For Brzezinski, the warning from The Economist was deeply concerning, noting the endorsement’s implications about global stability.

“That’s powerful,” she remarked, underscoring the publication’s assertion about the potential “disastrous consequences” of a Trump presidency for America’s allies and the world economy. Sorkin, while surprised by the endorsement, noted that one aspect of The Economist’s decision was foreseeable. “This, again, goes back to the math,” he explained. “Currently, no matter how you do the math, it is hard to justify Trump on economic policies.”

This assessment reflects broader concerns in fiscal circles, where Trump’s approach to trade and economic policies have frequently come under scrutiny. The Economist’s endorsement of Harris, in place of their historically favored conservative candidate, signals a notable divergence from its traditional editorial stance. This shift highlights the depth of apprehension among fiscal conservatives regarding Trump’s return to office, reflecting a broader unease about his potential impact on the nation’s and the world’s economic stability.

For viewers of Morning Joe, the exchange between Brzezinski and Sorkin provided a glimpse into the gravity of The Economist’s message. With Brzezinski characterizing the endorsement as a “powerful” indictment of Trump’s viability, and Sorkin acknowledging the difficult economic realities surrounding Trump’s policies, the segment underscored the significance of this endorsement. As 2024 approaches, the Economist’s position has added a new dimension to the political landscape, signaling a complex dialogue within conservative circles on the future of American leadership.