‘Drunk on power leads to disaster’: Joe Scarborough warns Trump’s war push is ‘not going to work’

Joe Scarborough warned constant US military intervention in countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran has repeatedly proven to be a dangerous trap
Joe Scarborough warned the United States could get 'drunk on power' as talk grows of targeting Cuba after conflicts involving Venezuela and Iran (Getty Images)
Joe Scarborough warned the United States could get 'drunk on power' as talk grows of targeting Cuba after conflicts involving Venezuela and Iran (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Joe Scarborough issued a warning about the dangers of aggressive foreign policy during Monday’s March 9 episode of 'Morning Joe,' cautioning that the United States could get “drunk on power” if military action continues to expand across multiple countries.

The remarks came during Monday’s broadcast of the MSNBC program, where Scarborough reacted to recent political rhetoric suggesting that Cuba could be the next target after attacks involving Venezuela and Iran. 



Joe Scarborough criticizes calls for Cuba intervention

During the show, Scarborough reacted to comments from Senator Lindsey Graham suggesting that Cuba might be next on a list of countries facing American action.

After playing a clip of Graham making the remarks, Scarborough said the senator’s attitude reflected an approach that many conservatives have long criticized.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 15: U.S. senator Lindsey Graham participates in a panel at the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany. International defence and security leaders from around the world are gathering for the February 14-16 conference. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Lindsey Graham participates in a panel at the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany (Getty Images)

He dismissed the idea that the United States should attempt to reshape governments across the world through military action.

“‘We’re on the march, we’re going across the world.’ No! No, that didn’t work for George W Bush, it’s not going to work for this president,” Scarborough said.

He argued that the belief that America must intervene everywhere has repeatedly led to trouble.

“And this sort of American adventurism, this sort of jingoism, where you’re saying, ‘let’s invade Venezuela, let’s invade Cuba, let’s invade Iran, let’s march through the world and invade all the bad guys,’ time and time again it has proven to be a trap,” he added.

Scarborough stressed that the United States does not need to send troops everywhere to remain strong.

Joe Scarborough urges restraint in US military policy

Scarborough said that while there are moments when military force is necessary, constant intervention can create long-term problems.

“There are times we have to send our troops to war, I completely understand that,” he said during the broadcast.

Joe Scarborough takes over 'Morning Joe' to report on the 2024 elections and American democracy (Instagram/@mikabrzezinski)
Joe Scarborough said war is sometimes necessary but warned being 'drunk on power' and militarism leads to disaster (Instagram/@mikabrzezinski)

“There are times we have to send our troops to war, I completely understand that,” he said during the broadcast. “But this sort of drunk on power, this sort of drunk on militarism always leads to disaster,” Scarborough said.

He argued that the country tends to perform best when leaders show caution before committing troops abroad.

Scarborough framed his warning as something many conservatives have historically worried about, saying the United States should avoid the temptation to use military power simply because it has the ability to do so.

Trump remarks on Cuba spark conflict debate

Scarborough’s comments also came just days after President Donald Trump made strong remarks about Cuba during a meeting with a group of Latin American leaders.

Trump spoke at his golf club in Doral, Florida, where he criticized the Cuban government and suggested the country was nearing a breaking point.

Donald Trump speaks at the Republican Members Issues Conference, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Donald Trump speaks at the Republican Members Issues Conference, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

“Cuba’s in its last moments of life, as it was,” Trump said.

“It’ll have a great new life, but it’s in its last moments of life the way it is,” he added.

During the same remarks, Trump described the country as having “no money,” “no oil,” and what he called a “bad philosophy” and a “bad regime.”

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN US VENEZUELA GEOPOLITICAL CRISIS

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