- Rachel Maddow
Some of MSNBC’s most prominent figures have openly criticized the network’s decision to cancel Joy Reid and Alex Wagner’s shows, as well as lay off their production teams. In an unusual on-air rebuke, Rachel Maddow, the network’s top-rated host, described the move as “a bad mistake” and “indefensible,” particularly since it affects two non-white prime-time hosts, along with Katie Phang’s weekend show.
Maddow also expressed concern over the impact on affected employees, calling the layoffs “not the right way to treat people.” She highlighted the uncertainty and stress the decision has created for production staff, emphasizing that “the anxiety and discombobulation is off the charts” in an already challenging industry.
Conservative Reactions and MSNBC’s Response
The decision has been met with celebration among right-wing commentators, who have sought to undermine MSNBC’s credibility. Some conservative voices view the cancellation of Reid’s show as a political victory. However, MSNBC has denied that its programming changes are influenced by external political pressure, including from former President Donald Trump.
Certain scheduling changes are driven by logistical concerns. For instance, Phang and José Díaz-Balart, who broadcast from NBC studios in Miami, will lose access to that space following Comcast’s corporate restructuring. While Díaz-Balart will continue anchoring NBC’s weekend “Nightly News,” Phang will transition to a legal correspondent role at MSNBC.
Despite these explanations, the restructuring has unsettled both viewers and network employees, a concern underscored by Maddow and her colleagues during Monday’s broadcast. Reports about Reid and Wagner’s possible departure circulated over the weekend, but MSNBC confirmed the changes only on Monday, when new network president Rebecca Kutler unveiled a revamped schedule to align with Comcast’s upcoming spinoff of MSNBC and other cable assets.
New Programming Lineup
The network has announced that “The Weekend” co-hosts Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez will take over Reid’s 7 p.m. slot. When Maddow returns to her once-a-week schedule in April, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki will host the 9 p.m. hour from Tuesday to Friday. Wagner will remain with the network as a senior political analyst.
MSNBC has encouraged employees from the canceled shows to apply for new roles, but many remain in limbo. Host Lawrence O’Donnell voiced his frustration, stating, “The idea that those people are all now adrift somehow makes absolutely no sense,” adding that he hopes a solution can be found.
Maddow, O’Donnell, and others have also defended Reid against criticism from Trump and right-wing media, praising her contributions to the network. During a staff call, MSNBC President Kutler was asked if the cancellations were meant to improve the network’s standing with the Trump administration, to which she responded, “No.”
Right-Wing Media Reaction
Trump and conservative media figures have seized on the cancellations, with the former president labeling MSNBC a “corrupt” and “illegal” arm of the Democratic Party on Truth Social. Right-wing commentators, including Benny Johnson and Tim Pool, have celebrated Reid’s exit, with Johnson dismissing her as a “DEI hire.” Conservative outlets such as Breitbart, The Daily Wire, and Outkick have argued that MSNBC removed Reid for being too progressive for the network’s direction.
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld also mocked Reid’s departure on his show, eliciting cheers from his audience. Meanwhile, on her final episode of “The ReidOut,” Reid focused on the need to resist “fascism” in the U.S., telling viewers, “You don’t always win every battle, but the whole thing is about resisting.”
As MSNBC undergoes these significant changes, the debate over its programming direction continues, with both internal and external voices weighing in on the implications.
