A revolt among MSNBC hosts against NBC’s decision to hire former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel gained traction on Monday, as prominent figures like Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough criticized the move.
Using their platforms, the hosts raised objections to McDaniel’s appointment, citing her alleged involvement in supporting former President Donald Trump’s efforts to contest the 2020 presidential election.
Jen Psaki, Joy Reid, and Mika Brzezinski joined in the criticism, while NBC’s Chuck Todd publicly criticized the network on Sunday. During her Monday broadcast, Maddow expressed her bewilderment at McDaniel’s hiring and hoped for a reversal of the decision.
She emphasized that their opposition to McDaniel is not politically motivated but stems from concerns about her perceived attacks on journalists and democratic institutions.
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Maddow condemned the idea of giving airtime to someone who undermines elections and democracy. Representatives for McDaniel declined to comment on the criticism.
The collective denunciation by MSNBC hosts represents a remarkable act of defiance against their employer’s hiring choice. It reflects the hosts’ determination to challenge the decision by engaging in on-air resistance to reverse it.
Rashida Jones, MSNBC’s president, previously assured staff members that McDaniel would not appear on the network, clarifying that there were no such plans. Maddow reiterated this assurance, dispelling any confusion caused by conflicting reports.
Reid characterized McDaniel as a highly paid contributor to NBC News and a major promoter of the false narrative surrounding the 2020 election. According to sources familiar with the matter, McDaniel is reportedly earning around $300,000 annually in her new role.
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Scarborough also voiced his opposition, stating that they would have strongly objected to McDaniel’s hiring had they been consulted. Until her recent departure from the RNC, McDaniel maintained close ties with Trump, who appointed her shortly after his election in 2016.
The controversy surrounding McDaniel’s hiring has brought attention to her role in events leading up to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, and her past endorsement of Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud.
In her testimony to the congressional committee investigating the Capitol attack, McDaniel revealed details about the Trump campaign’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. She acknowledged Joe Biden’s victory during a recent appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” in contrast to her previous remarks casting doubt on the election outcome.
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McDaniel’s shifting statements on the 2020 election have drawn scrutiny, with her July 2023 interview on CNN suggesting skepticism about Biden’s win. Despite her acknowledgment of Biden’s victory, her past comments have raised questions about her stance on the legitimacy of the election results.
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