A promotion for the June 4 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews teased a discussion to air later that day on the show about President Obama's speech in Cairo, saying: “Chris sifts through Obama's Mideast speech: new ties or too many apologies?” But in the broadcast of MSNBC Live during which the promotion appeared, host Norah O'Donnell and MSNBC political analyst Pat Buchanan rejected the characterization of Obama's speech as “an apology tour” or “an apology speech.” O'Donnell said: “Some people are calling this an apology tour by the president. But isn't it about time that a president acknowledge that there -- that these countries meet at a time of tension, or these two ideals meet at a time of tension?” Buchanan responded: “I don't think this speech was an apology speech. I think what it is, Norah, is an affirmation that a sea change has taken place in American foreign policy in the Middle East.”

As Media Matters for America documented, many Fox News hosts, contributors, analysts, and regular guests have characterized Obama's April trip to Europe as “an apology tour,” often taking out of context remarks Obama made during his trip to support their claim. Moreover, Fox News has trotted out its smear for Obama's current trip to Europe and the Middle East, baselessly promoting “another apology tour.”

From the 9 a.m. ET hour of MSNBC Live on June 4:

O'DONNELL: Some people are calling this an apology tour by the president. But isn't it about time that a president acknowledge that there -- that these countries meet at a time of tension, or these two ideals meet at a time of tension?

BUCHANAN: I don't think this speech was an apology speech. I think what it is, Norah, is an affirmation that a sea change has taken place in American foreign policy in the Middle East.

[...]

NARRATOR: Chris sifts through Obama's Mideast speech: new ties or too many apologies? Hardball with Chris Matthews, tonight at 7 on MSNBC.