In a rare and pointed critique of her own network, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow used her Monday night broadcast to deliver a heartfelt and scathing rebuke of the recent decision to cancel Joy Reid’s primetime show, The ReidOut.
Maddow, the network’s most prominent figure, not only praised Reid’s contributions but also highlighted broader concerns about diversity and the treatment of staff behind the scenes.
“For all the jobs I’ve had in my life, there is no colleague for whom I have more affection and respect than Joy Reid,” Maddow said during her monologue. “I love everything about her. I’ve learned so much from her, and I have so much more to learn. Personally, I think it is a bad mistake to let her walk out the door.”
Reid, who has been a fixture at MSNBC since 2014 and the host of The ReidOut since 2020, announced her departure following the network’s decision to cancel her show as part of a broader programming shakeup. The move comes amid declining ratings and a leadership transition under MSNBC’s new president, Rebecca Kutler. Reid’s exit, however, has sparked criticism, particularly given its implications for diversity in the network’s primetime lineup.
Maddow did not shy away from addressing this issue. “It is unnerving to see that on a network where we’ve got two—count them, two—non-white hosts in primetime, both of our non-white hosts in primetime are losing their shows,” she said, referring to Reid and Alex Wagner, whose show was also canceled. “That feels worse than bad. That feels indefensible. And I do not defend it.”
The critique extended beyond on-air talent. Maddow also expressed concern for the dozens of producers, writers, and other staff members affected by the shakeup. Many of these employees, she noted, are being asked to reapply for their jobs or face potential layoffs. “This is not the right way to treat people,” Maddow said. “It’s inefficient, 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’s comments come at a time of significant upheaval in the cable news industry, with networks grappling with declining viewership and shifting audience preferences. MSNBC, in particular, has faced challenges in maintaining its ratings, even as it seeks to position itself as a leading voice in progressive media. The decision to cancel The ReidOut and other shows has been framed as part of a broader effort to revamp the network’s programming, but it has also raised questions about its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Reid, who is of Congolese and Guyanese descent, has been a trailblazer in the industry, becoming the first Black woman to anchor a primetime cable news show. Her departure leaves a significant void, both in terms of representation and the unique perspective she brought to her coverage of politics and social issues.
In her farewell message on social media, Reid thanked her team and supporters, writing, “So very proud of The ReidOut team, who are truly family, and all of our supporters & friends.” She has not yet announced her next steps.
Maddow’s willingness to publicly challenge her own network is a rare move in the world of cable news, where anchors typically avoid airing internal grievances on air. Her remarks have been widely praised as an act of courage and integrity, with many viewers and commentators lauding her for using her platform to advocate for her colleagues and call attention to systemic issues.
“This is courage,” one viewer wrote on social media. “A true class act.”
As MSNBC moves forward with its new lineup, which will include a rotating panel of hosts in Reid’s former time slot, the network faces mounting pressure to address the concerns raised by Maddow and others. For now, Maddow’s monologue serves as a powerful reminder of the stakes involved—not just for the individuals affected, but for the broader values of equity and respect in the workplace.