Scarborough: Trump VA nominee ‘sounded like Hitler’s doctor’ describing Trump’s health

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough on Tuesday took aim at President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, over reports that Jackson faces allegations of misconduct.

The “Morning Joe” host mocked Jackson, who is currently Trump’s White House physician, for his description of the president’s health after a physical in January. At a White House press briefing after the physical, Jackson praised Trump has having “good genes.”

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“You don’t have to be one of those people that work at circuses that [go], ‘look, hey, I can guess your weight,’ to know that Donald Trump weighs a hell of a lot more than 239 pounds. That was embarrassing,” Scarborough said, arguing that Jackson incorrectly took the president’s weight in January.

“But then, Willie, the — the topper of it all, the pièce de résistance was when he said — when he said, and it sounded like Hitler’s doctor, I’m sorry. ‘You know what, his genes are so good,'” the host continued.

“If Hitler’s doctor had a Brooklyn accent,” Scarborough continued. “‘His genes are so good. He could live to be 200 years old.'”

Co-host Mika Brzezinski chimed in, adding that reporters in the room for the briefing with Jackson could hear a “sucking sound” as he spoke.

“That display about the president’s health I thought was quite incredible,” she said.

The discussion by the “Morning Joe” hosts comes as Jackson faces a tough confirmation to be VA secretary over allegations that he created “a hostile work environment,” and is guilty of  “excessive drinking on the job and improperly dispensing meds.”

One source told CBS that the reports will “sink his nomination” and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) has ordered Jackson’s hearing delayed over the allegations.

“All I can really tell you at this moment time is we are continuing the vetting process. We are working very hard at it. It’s all hands on deck,” Tester said. 

If confirmed, Jackson would replace David Shulkin as the head of Trump’s VA.