This is the Feb. 13, 2026, edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter. Subscribe hereto get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday through Friday.
On this day in 2000, the last “Peanuts” comic strip was published, just hours after the death of its beloved creator, Charles Schulz.
Since it debuted in 1950, “Peanuts” has held a unique place in American culture, its humor and heart continuing to resonate across generations. While Schulz’s favorite character was Charlie Brown, I was always a fan of Snoopy — especially when he was in his Joe Cool mode!
As Schulz once wrote, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” With Valentine’s Day and another winter weekend upon us, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy both.
ON THE CALENDAR
In New York, the fashion world takes center stage as the city transforms into a global runway for New York Fashion Week — one of the renowned “Big Four,” alongside Paris, London, and Milan.
In the nation’s capital, the mood turns timeless at the Folger Shakespeare Library, where the Folger Consort carries audiences back to 15th century France and Burgundy through the era’s most cherished love songs.
Out west in Los Angeles, the NBA All-Star Weekend tips off at Intuit Dome with Rising Stars, spotlighting the league’s next generation. The celebration builds through Saturday’s contests of skill and spectacle before culminating Sunday with the NBA All-Star Game.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Historic Rosedale offers reflection and perspective with “The Black American Experience in the Carolinas,” a Black History Month program exploring the stories and voices that helped shape the region.
Chicago provides a different kind of warmth this winter, as the Winter Tequila Tasting Festival invites guests to sip, savor, and celebrate — a spirited way to mark Valentine’s Day.
And in Philadelphia, the game is afoot at the Walnut Street Theatre, where Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective delivers suspense, intrigue, and the unmistakable thrill of deduction.
Now, on to your questions.
MAILBAG
I just adore you and Mika; never miss a show. The guests, the commentary, all top-notch. Joe, in my 75 years on this earth, [I] never felt so anxious about the future for my grandkids. I try to show them the Kennedy and Obama era, not because it was Democrats, but because it was a saner, calmer time. Any advice on how I can get them involved? My oldest granddaughter has attended a few protests, but it truthfully scares me. I try to give them hope and reassure them that if we VOTE and continue to do the right thing, it will work out. I thank you for all you and your team [do,] just awesome!
— Renee M.
Renee, thank you so much for your kind words. I am so grateful you take comfort from watching “Morning Joe” and, more importantly, teach your grandchildren about the history of this wonderful country.
Whether we look at the example of John F. Kennedy moving America toward a new frontier, or Ronald Reagan using his Farewell Address to declare immigration the cornerstone of this great republic, or George H.W. Bush showing future presidents how to build alliances and be a reliable friend to allies, or Barack Obama proving to the world that Americans can be open to the future, there is much to learn from past presidents. Just as there is wisdom to be gained by studying the challenges of 1968, 1941, 1929, and 1861.
These too are challenging times. But great Americans are rising to the challenge, whether in the streets of Minneapolis or in federal courtrooms across the nation, or in newsrooms that still vigorously search for the truth.
Throughout my 32 years in the public spotlight, I’ve always had the same answer when asked how young Americans should get involved in politics: work on a campaign.
There’s nothing like volunteering for a cause or candidate you believe in to make yourself part of the American Experiment.
I remain thankful I was able to run four campaigns while knocking on 10,000 doors and shaking the hands of countless Americans — often sitting down with them around their dinner table. I would hear their concerns, as well as their hopes and dreams for their children and grandchildren. We need that kind of civic involvement more than ever.
And let your grandchildren know America is a strong country, filled with resilient patriots who strengthen this constitutional republic that no man or tyrant can overtake.
We will remain tirelessly vigilant to guarantee that the freedoms we have enjoyed in our lifetimes are passed to our children and grandchildren.
Thank you again for your wonderful note!
It seems the chatter about our nation’s debt has quieted with everything else that’s going on. Reports are estimating Trump’s addition to our debt in his first year is around $2.5 trillion, and 2026 interest on our debt [is] to reach $1 trillion. Are those numbers reality, and if so, shouldn’t we be freaking out by now?
— Dave B., Rio Vista, Calif.
Dave, let me assure you that we should be freaking out by now.
When I left Congress, it had balanced the budget four years in a row for the only time in a century. The national debt was at $4 trillion, and budget surpluses were projected for years to come.
Soon after I left, Washington began a spending spree that has continued unabated for 25 years.
George W. Bush doubled the national debt; then Barack Obama doubled the national debt; then Donald Trump expanded the national debt at a record rate. Those debts continued to skyrocket under Joe Biden and now have accelerated once again at unprecedented rates during Trump’s second term.
- That $4 trillion debt from 2001 has now exploded to $39 trillion.
- Trump ran up a larger debt in the single month of December 2025 than America accumulated over its first 200 years as a country.
- Estimates are that the national debt will climb to $64 trillion by 2036.
While I am an optimist about many things concerning America’s future, the fiscal insanity gripping Washington for a quarter century is not one of them.
This is not a Republican problem or a Democratic problem. This is an American problem.
And if Washington politicians keep refusing to rightsize the budget soon, inflation will explode to unprecedented rates, the dollar will collapse, the U.S. economy will enter a death spiral, and Social Security and Medicare will go bankrupt.
This national crisis will only be solved by a bipartisan effort to make tough decisions. The question is no longer whether we raise taxes or cut spending. The question is whether we will ever have a Congress and White House that understand both must be done to save this land. Billionaires and tech monopolies have to start paying their fair share. If politicians keep kicking the can down the road, America will find itself in an economic ditch for years to come. I so appreciate that you speak the truth in the face of the insanity we now live in. My question is to ask how difficult is it to keep up the fight? I often feel like tossing in the towel. — Glenda M., Atlanta Glenda, thanks so much for watching. There are many times I wish that I could walk away from reporting on the steady stream of insanity coming out of Washington. I’ve been doing it for a long time and often find the craziness exhausting. But we are in a moment that requires that we all do our best to protect this land we love. Mika and I have concluded that the best thing we can do is shine a light on the lies, corruption, and breaching of constitutional norms that come out of this White House on an almost daily basis. We do it without fear or favor, and without anger or hostility toward anyone. I have told the president that I pray for him every day, and that I continue to pray for his health, safety, and the hope that one day he will be moved to become a peacemaker, not only across the world, but here at home. That said, we can do two things at once. As long as our constitution is challenged, our political system is attacked, and common decency and kindness are thrown to the side, Mika and I will keep speaking out. I know you will as well! We asked readers of this newsletter to spill the tea for Valentine’s Day: What’s your secret to a lasting, loving relationship? Here’s what you said. As always, thank you for writing! Respect, acceptance, and laughter. We’ve been practicing all three for 36 years. — Monique N., Branford, Conn. My husband, whose side I had never left for several nights, was being released from hospital after another cardiac procedure. [The] hospitalist was asking both of us our secret to a long happy marriage. As I answered, “Separate televisions,” my husband simultaneously answered, “We talk politics.” I was stunned! I never knew our political discussions were so important to him. We don’t always agree, but we do always discuss. Sound familiar, Mika and Joe?❤️ — Paula J., North Brookfield, Mass. Thoughtful, simple, loving gestures such as turning the bed down for me at night and bringing me my morning coffee. Married 41 years. —Bridgit S., Georgetown, Del. First, be best friends. Don’t lose your manners. Always say please and thank you. Hold hands. Say I love you every night before you go to sleep. This has worked for us for over 41 years. — Pat G., Winter Haven, Fla. My wife and I have just 2 rules in our marriage. One: open and honest communication (except surprise parties, obviously). Two: Never stop dating each other. — Kris, Lindenhurst, N.Y. Never go to bed mad. Talk it out, snuggle, and carry on. More than two score of years of experience. Communication is key. — Mark F., Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Former Rep. Joe Scarborough, R-Fla., is co-host of MS NOW's "Morning Joe" alongside Mika Brzezinski — a show that Time magazine calls "revolutionary." In addition to his career in television, Joe is a two-time New York Times best-selling author. His most recent book is "The Right Path: From Ike to Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics — and Can Again." Recommended
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