NBC News Shakeup

Rob Mullins

Staff Writer Abroad

Two weeks ago, Twitter was abuzz in reaction to the news that Joy Reid was fired due to the low ratings for her show on MSNBC. As shocking as this is, it is only the most recent step taken by the network in its unprecedented shakeup. Rachel Maddow is reportedly on the chopping block as well, and she did not help her case with her strong condemnation of the decision to fire Reid. Maddow called the move “indefensible.”

In the wake of President Trump’s upset victory in 2024, all current mainstream media networks find themselves in the same position they were eight years ago, taking stock and wondering where things went wrong. Even though primetime hosts, like Reid, made a name for themselves with their aggressive left-wing advocacy, audiences have not been persuaded of their positions.

In fact, just the opposite may be occurring. This time around, Trump won the popular vote, the “Blue Wall” states in the midwest have swung red, as have nearly every individual demographic that was polled, with the exception of college-educated women. It is possible that Comcast chairman Brian Roberts is making a shrewd decision based on the fact that audiences overwhelmingly reject such biased news coverage.

Taking Reid’s place in primetime will be the centrist-presenting Jen Psaki, who is also notable for serving as former president Biden’s press secretary. If audiences are searching for more unbiased, calmer voices, Reid does not seem to get the message. In a tearful tirade on a Zoom call, Reid was unapologetic about her activism. She described the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-Israel advocacy as “things of God.” Watching her reaction to the network’s decision, it is impossible not to see the logic at work here.

Joy Reid’s self-righteous and angry response to a career setback demonstrates how out of step the Beltway commentariat is with everyday Americans. There is nothing wrong with advocacy for an issue close to one’s heart, but when it clouds one’s ability to judge events rationally, audiences will tune out. The polls, as well as NBC’s ratings, show that voters are not resonating with the increasingly unhinged tone of Trump’s left-wing opposition. In making this decision, Roberts shows that he is responding to his audience’s preferences. Only time will tell if Joy Reid and her colleagues learn to do the same.