Rachel Maddow Slams MSNBC in Explosive Rant Over Firing Non-White Hosts!

In a bold and unprecedented move, Rachel Maddow, one of MSNBC’s most prominent anchors, used her prime-time platform on The Rachel Maddow Show to deliver a scathing critique of her own network’s decision to cancel the shows of its non-white prime-time hosts, including Joy Reid and Alex Wagner. The Monday night broadcast on February 24, 2025, saw Maddow express deep frustration and disappointment over the network’s programming overhaul, which she described as “indefensible” and “unnerving.” Her remarks have sparked widespread discussion across media circles, reigniting debates about diversity, equity, and the treatment of staff in the news industry.

A Public Rebuke of Network Leadership

Maddow, who has been a cornerstone of MSNBC’s progressive identity since joining the network in 2008, did not hold back in her monologue. Addressing the recent cancellation of The ReidOut, hosted by Joy Reid, and Alex Wagner Tonight, she highlighted the troubling pattern of the network removing its only two non-white prime-time hosts. “I will tell you, it is also unnerving to see that on a network where we’ve got two—count them, two—non-white hosts in prime time, both of our non-white hosts in prime time are losing their shows, as is Katie Phang on the weekend,” Maddow said. “And that feels worse than bad, no matter who replaces them. That feels indefensible, and I do not defend it.”

The cancellations come as part of a broader programming shake-up under the leadership of MSNBC’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, who officially assumed the role in February 2025 after serving as interim president. The changes, which include the termination of shows hosted by Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart, and Ayman Mohyeldin, have been framed by the network as an effort to address declining ratings and adapt to a shifting media landscape. However, Maddow’s remarks suggest significant internal resistance to these decisions, particularly given the timing and the optics of removing all non-white anchors from prime-time slots.

A Personal Tribute to Joy Reid

Maddow’s critique was deeply personal, especially when addressing the departure of Joy Reid, whose show The ReidOut ended its run on February 24, 2025. Reid, the first Black woman to anchor a prime-time news show on MSNBC, had been a fixture in the 7 p.m. ET slot since July 2020. Maddow, who joined Reid for an emotional farewell during her final broadcast, expressed profound admiration for her colleague. “I am 51 years old. I have been gainfully employed since I was 12, and I have had so many different kinds of jobs you wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Maddow said. “But in all of the jobs I have had in all of the years I have been alive, there is no colleague for whom I have had more affection and more respect than Joy Reid.”

Maddow went on to describe Reid’s departure as a “bad mistake,” emphasizing that she did not want to lose her as a colleague at MSNBC. “It is not my call, and I understand that, but that’s what I think,” she added, underscoring her lack of decision-making power in the network’s programming choices. Her comments were echoed by fellow MSNBC anchor Lawrence O’Donnell, who, in a later segment, supported Maddow’s sentiments and expressed hope that something could be done to address the staff impacted by the cancellations.

Broader Implications for Staff and Industry

Beyond the high-profile cancellations, Maddow also highlighted the impact on behind-the-scenes staff, many of whom face layoffs or uncertain futures. She noted that “dozens of producers and staffers, including some who are among the most experienced and most talented and most specialist producers in the building,” are being asked to reapply for new roles or accept severance packages. This restructuring, she argued, is not only inefficient but also demoralizing, particularly at a time when the news industry is already under significant strain. “It’s not the right way to treat people, and it’s inefficient, and it’s unnecessary, and it kind of drops the bottom out of whether or not people feel like this is a good place to work,” Maddow said.

The timing of these changes is particularly poignant, as Maddow pointed out, given the broader challenges facing the press. “It is not news for me to tell you that the press and freedom of the press are under attack in a way that is really, it’s a big deal for our country,” she said. “It’s very visceral for us here.” The cancellations and layoffs come amid a period of heightened scrutiny of media outlets, with President Donald Trump’s second term bringing renewed attacks on the press and policies aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The Programming Overhaul and Its Context

The programming changes at MSNBC include several notable shifts. Starting in April 2025, Reid’s 7 p.m. ET slot will be filled by a new show hosted by Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, who currently anchor The Weekend. While this new program features hosts of color, Maddow’s critique focused on the loss of established prime-time shows led by non-white anchors. Meanwhile, Inside with Jen Psaki, hosted by President Joe Biden’s former White House press secretary, will take over the 9 p.m. ET slot previously held by Alex Wagner. Wagner, who is of Burmese descent, will remain with the network as a political analyst, but her show will not return. Katie Phang, whose weekend show was also canceled, will transition to a legal correspondent role.

These changes come as MSNBC grapples with a significant decline in viewership. Following Trump’s election victory in November 2024, the network’s audience dropped by nearly half, with The Rachel Maddow Show briefly losing to reruns of animated shows like Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy. Maddow’s return to nightly broadcasting during Trump’s first 100 days in office helped recover some ratings, but the broader trend of declining viewership has prompted Comcast, MSNBC’s parent company, to spin off the network into a separate entity. This move, coupled with the appointment of Rebecca Kutler as president, signals a strategic pivot aimed at cutting costs and revitalizing the network’s appeal.

Reactions and Backlash

Maddow’s on-air rebuke has generated significant attention, both within the media industry and among viewers. On X, reactions ranged from praise for her boldness to criticism from conservative commentators who mocked her comments or suggested she could be the next to face consequences. One user, @ArtCandee, wrote, “Rachel Maddow called out MSNBC for getting rid of Joy Reid and Katie Phang, saying it’s ‘indefensible’ to get rid of their non-white anchors. Bingo.” Another, @stillgray, described the cancellations as targeting “underperforming black anchors,” framing Reid’s firing as a consequence of poor ratings.

Conservative voices, including supporters of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, seized on the opportunity to highlight MSNBC’s struggles. Benny Johnson, a conservative commentator, posted, “Here’s a nice little laugh for you on this wonderful evening. Mark Cuban … I mean Rachel Maddow goes on a cringey 4 minute rant over Joy Reid being fired from MSNBC. Little does she know…. She’s next.” Such comments reflect the polarized response to Maddow’s critique, with some viewing it as a courageous stand and others as a sign of internal chaos at the network.

Maddow’s History of Challenging MSNBC

This is not the first time Maddow has publicly criticized her employer. In March 2024, she called out MSNBC for airing Trump’s Super Tuesday victory speech, arguing it was “irresponsible to broadcast” due to his history of making false claims. Similarly, when NBC News briefly hired former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as a political analyst, Maddow labeled the decision “inexplicable” and compared it to hiring a “mobster.” The network later reversed course, dropping McDaniel amid backlash from Maddow and other anchors. These instances underscore Maddow’s willingness to challenge MSNBC’s leadership, even at the risk of professional repercussions.

The Bigger Picture

Maddow’s comments have brought renewed attention to the challenges of maintaining diversity in media, particularly in high-profile roles. The cancellation of shows hosted by Reid, Wagner, and Phang has raised questions about MSNBC’s commitment to representation, especially as the network navigates a competitive and financially strained environment. Reid, in her final broadcast, framed her departure in the context of a broader “crisis of democracy,” urging viewers to resist what she described as encroaching fascism under Trump’s administration. Her remarks, coupled with Maddow’s critique, highlight the tension between journalistic ideals and corporate decision-making.

As MSNBC moves forward with its new lineup, the fallout from these changes is likely to reverberate. Maddow, who will return to hosting only on Mondays after Trump’s first 100 days, remains a powerful voice at the network, reportedly earning $25 million annually despite her reduced schedule. Her willingness to confront MSNBC’s leadership publicly may embolden other staff members to speak out, but it also underscores the precarious nature of the news industry at a time when trust in media is under siege.

Looking Ahead

The future of MSNBC’s programming and its commitment to diversity remains uncertain. While the network has promised new roles for affected staff and highlighted the diversity of the new 7 p.m. show’s hosts, Maddow’s critique has cast a spotlight on the deeper systemic issues at play. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the balance between profitability, representation, and journalistic integrity will remain a critical challenge for MSNBC and its peers.

In her closing remarks, Maddow struck an optimistic note, expressing hope that the network could grow and succeed by treating its people better. “We welcome new voices to this place and some familiar voices to new hours,” she said. “I also believe, and I bet you believe, that the way to get there is by treating people well, finding good people, good colleagues, doing good work with them, and then having their back—that, we can do a lot better on. A lot better.”