Rachel Maddow Criticizes MSNBC Over Joy Reid's Show Cancellation and Staff Treatment

2025-03-03

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow publicly criticized her network’s decision to cancel Joy Reid’s show, “The ReidOut,” and called out the treatment of staffers amid a major programming overhaul. During her Monday night broadcast, Maddow expressed deep disappointment over Reid’s departure, describing her as a colleague she holds in the highest regard. “I have no colleague for whom I have had more affection and respect than Joy Reid,” Maddow said, adding that she believes letting Reid go is a “bad mistake.”

Maddow also highlighted concerns about diversity, noting that the cancellation of Reid’s show and other programs hosted by non-white anchors, such as Alex Wagner and Katie Phang, felt “indefensible.” While Wagner will remain with MSNBC as a senior political analyst, Reid is leaving the network entirely. Maddow called the situation “unnerving,” particularly as MSNBC’s primetime lineup loses its only two non-white hosts.

In addition to addressing on-air changes, Maddow criticized the network’s handling of staff layoffs, describing the process as “inefficient” and “unnecessary.” She expressed concern for producers and staffers who are being asked to reapply for their jobs, calling the treatment of employees “not the right way to treat people.” Maddow emphasized the importance of supporting colleagues behind the scenes, stating, “What pains us the most is not what happens to us. It is what happens to our coworkers on whom we depend.”

Maddow’s rebuke comes as MSNBC undergoes significant restructuring, with Jen Psaki taking over additional airtime and Maddow’s show reverting to a once-a-week format. The network’s future remains uncertain as parent company NBCUniversal prepares to spin off MSNBC into a standalone entity later this year. Maddow, who has a history of speaking out against her employer, did not hold back in her critique, underscoring the challenges facing the network and its employees during this transitional period.

Rachel Maddow blasts MSNBC for axing Joy Reid, calls out network's treatment of staffers in stunning rebuke

MSNBC's biggest star Rachel Maddow offered a scathing monologue calling out her employer over its cancellation of The ReidOut as well as the network's

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