Joe Scarborough admits ‘crackling off-air chemistry’ with MSNBC co-host Mika Brzezinski

MSNBC’S Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski moved one step closer to officially settling relationship rumors that have gone on for well over a year.

The hosts of “Morning Joe” have avoided talk of a romantic relationship that swirled in the wake of Ms. Brzezinski’s divorce proceedings with reporter Jim Hoffer in 2016. That changed Wednesday during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter for an upcoming issue of its magazine.

“We have a crackling on-air chemistry, and a crackling off-air chemistry, too,” Mr. Scarborough, a former Republican congressman from Florida, said.

The 54-year-old divorced his second wife, Susan Waren, in 2013.

Ms. Brzezinski, 49, told THR that no further elaboration was needed on their relationship status.

“That’s good.” Mr. Scarborough said. “I think that pretty much says it, doesn’t it?”

Sources told the New York Post in June that the pair’s relationship was an open secret.

“They are constantly together, they arrive and leave events together, even on weekends. They are each other’s publicists and finish each other’s sentences. It’s the worst-kept secret in TV,” an NBC source told the newspaper.

“Mika’s divorce was finalized in the past year,” an MSNBC source added. “She’s really grateful that it was done amicably and in private.”