On February 23, 2025, President Donald Trump responded to the cancellation of Joy Reid’s MSNBC show, “The ReidOut,” with a series of posts on his Truth Social platform. He labeled Reid as a “mentally obnoxious racist” and stated she “should have been ‘canned’ a long time ago.”
MSNBC announced major programming changes due to take effect in April 2025, marking a significant shift with Reid’s departure from its primetime lineup.
Reid is set to host her last episode this week, as per the programming changes outlined by MSNBC’s new President, Rebecca Kutler.
Reid expressed gratitude for her team and the impact of the show, stating, “So very proud of The ReidOut team, who are truly family, and all of our supporters and friends.” She confirmed that she has “no regrets” about her outspoken stance on numerous issues during her time as a critic of Trump.
She expressed a range of emotions, including “anger, rage, disappointment… guilt over my team losing their jobs,” during a 10-minute appearance on the “Win With Black Women” podcast on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Reid, known for her liberal views, has faced criticism for her comments about white people, including references to “white tears” and her assertion that white women “failed to show up” to support former Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election.
In his posts on Truth Social, Trump celebrated MSNBC’s decision, stating they had “finally gotten the nerve up to fire one of the least talented people in television.” He also targeted other MSNBC personalities and the network’s leadership.
Trump also criticized Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, calling him a “lowlife,” and accusing MSNBC of being “an illegal arm of the Democrat Party.” He further asserted that MSNBC should pay “vast sums of money” for the “unpardonable sin” it has committed against the country.
The cancellation of Reid’s show has prompted varied reactions. While supporters have praised her for promoting discussions on race, culture, and social justice, critics, including Trump, have welcomed the show’s cancellation.
“The ReidOut,” which started in 2020, featured comprehensive interviews with politicians and newsmakers. Her departure coincides with Trump’s resumed tenure in the White House and his ongoing disputes with the mainstream media.
MSNBC’s reshuffling comes in response to major ratings challenges. Following the 2024 election, the network experienced a 46% drop in audience compared to the first 10 months of 2024, while Fox News’s viewership increased, capturing a 70% share in the weeks after the election.
Reid’s 7 p.m. slot will now be occupied by a new panel show featuring Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, and Symone Sanders-Townsend. The trio will host a weekday news program with a two-hour edition on Mondays.
Other major changes to MSNBC’s lineup include the cancellation of Alex Wagner’s 9 p.m. show. Wagner will continue with the network as a senior political analyst. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki will take the 9 p.m. slot from Tuesday through Friday, while Rachel Maddow will host on Mondays.
MSNBC is also centralizing its production operations to New York and Washington, D.C., closing its Miami office and canceling shows like “José Díaz-Balart Reports” and “The Katie Phang Show.” MSNBC plans to set up its own Washington Bureau as part of its separation from NBC News.
Despite these changes, the evening lineup is expected to remain predominantly anti-Trump, according to reports. The network is moving to adapt to changing viewer habits and the evolving media landscape by strengthening its news-gathering operations and adding correspondents and bureaus.
MSNBC has faced significant challenges after the election, but there are signs of potential recovery. The network saw a 60% increase in primetime viewers in the week of Trump’s inauguration, with 1.3 million viewers compared to just under 800,000 in the preceding three weeks.
These changes at MSNBC coincide with similar adjustments at CNN, as the network restructures to integrate CNN.com and digital video. These shifts come as cable news faces a crisis with more consumers opting out of pay-TV subscriptions.
Trump’s criticism of MSNBC is part of a broader confrontation with media outlets. The president recently won a $15 million settlement from ABC News in a defamation case involving George Stephanopoulos. He is also suing CBS and its owner, Paramount, alleging deceptive editing of Kamala Harris’s “60 Minutes” interview before the election.
The Trump-appointed FCC chairman has initiated an investigation into Comcast and NBCUniversal’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, potentially increasing regulatory pressure on MSNBC’s parent company.
As MSNBC rolls out its new programming strategy, its ability to retain viewership and compete in the cable news market remains uncertain. These changes represent one of the most significant overhauls in the network’s recent history, occurring at a time of political transition and media industry transformation.
