Joy Reid hosted her final show on MSNBC days after the network announced a purge of talent—including other non-white hosts Ayman Mohyeldin, Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart—to restructure its programming to sustain a recent viewership surge, consolidate production, and bring in high-profile names to attract audiences.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from within and outside of the network. MSNBC host Rachel Maddow denounced the decision as “indefensible” and expressed concern over the impact on diversity in primetime programming. Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann also condemned the network’s actions, labeling them a “brutally racist” purge.
“When you are in the midst of a crisis, and specifically a crisis of democracy, how do you resist–when fascism isn’t just coming, it’s already here,” Reid asked during her final show on Feb. 24. “The first rule is to fight back, to never stop resisting… even if it’s scary, or uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Lester Holt’s departure from NBC Nightly News further fuels concerns about the shrinking presence of diverse voices across NBC’s networks. His exit adds to the growing perception that the network is moving away from inclusive representation.
Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez are set to replace Reid’s 7 p.m. slot. The change at MSNBC coincides with leadership changes under new president Rebecca Kutler, who aims to boost ratings. However, many on the internet have criticized MSNBC’s leadership over the decision to oust Reid and others, particularly during a period where the Trump administration has made advances to cut DEI initiatives across the board.
Donald Trump quickly mocked Reid’s departure on social media, calling her “one of the least talented people in television” and claimed that she should have been fired earlier. While it may be easy to dismiss this rhetoric, it’s important to consider the bigger picture.
Under the first Trump administration, journalists faced mounting hostility. The president frequently attacked the media, labeling it “the enemy of the people” and dismissing critical coverage as “fake news.” Press freedom advocates warn that continuing to undermine the media under Trump’s second administration could escalate these threats, further silencing journalists and limiting accountability.
A result of this is Jim Acosta’s departure from CNN in January 2025, following a clash over the network’s directive to cover President Trump’s second inauguration “without prejudice,” underscores a trend of media silencing during the Trump administration. Acosta’s exit highlights the challenges journalists face when press freedom is compromised.
The removal of non-white journalists from major news networks reflects a deeper pattern of silencing diverse advocates of truth and justice. Reid’s departure, alongside MSNBC’s broader shake-up, signals a troubling shift where the voices that challenge power and uplift marginalized communities are being pushed out. Historically, Black journalists have played a crucial role in exposing injustice and holding leaders accountable.
As DEI initiatives are dismantled and newsroom leadership shifts, who will be our diverse truth-tellers on the news? If these decisions continue, the erasure of Black and diverse voices could leave a dangerous void in journalism.
