Scarborough defends ‘MyPillow guy’ appearance at coronavirus briefing: ‘I salute him’ for making masks

MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough on Tuesday defended the appearance of MyPillow founder Mike Lindell at a coronavirus task force meeting on Monday, with the “Morning Joe” host praising the businessman for refocusing much of his company’s production to make 50,000 masks for health care workers amid the coronavirus crisis.

“Everybody was attacking this MyPillow guy,” Scarborough said of the reaction to Lindell’s short remarks at Monday’s briefing from the Rose Garden at the White House. “Here’s my thought: If you’re going to make 50,000 masks and give them to doctors and nurses on the front lines in New York City, I’m fine with you going up.”

“Say whatever you want to say,” the former GOP congressman added of Lindell, who is a vocal supporter of President Trump. “Just get the masks to the people on the front line, and we as Americans should salute anybody doing that. I’m not making 50,000 masks. If I had the capability of making 50,000 masks, I’d like to make 50,000 masks. I can’t. That guy can. I salute him.”  

“If Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow, takes 75 percent of his manufacturing ability right now, God bless him,” co-host Willie Geist added. “If he wants to help, I’m all for it.”    

Lindell’s appearance sparked an uproar from some on social media, with critics mocking it as a public relations stunt and others lauding Lindell’s efforts. 

Trump just called the “My Pillow” guy up to the podium in the Rose Garden. You cannot make this stuff up.

— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) March 30, 2020

Why do you mock ANYONE who would help in any way? What is wrong w/ you? People need help and we should encourage everyone to help in any way. https://t.co/rGltqBjs9d

— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) March 30, 2020

Well, imagine my relief that the My Pillow guy is on the job

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) March 30, 2020

Hey goofy My Pillow guy is making 50 thousand masks while this douche adds nothing to the world but his own self satisfied finger sniffing https://t.co/iHrC7Vnk7k

— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) March 30, 2020

My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell says God put Trump in the White House and tells people to read the Bible while standing behind a presidential seal on government property in a clear violation of the separation of church and state. pic.twitter.com/ND7onUwQZk

— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 30, 2020

Let me get this straight-
People are ripping on companies like My Pillow for- checks notes- stepping up to help w critical supplies during a crisis.

You really are a bunch of ungrateful d*cks.

— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) March 30, 2020