Following reports of her impending dismissal from MSNBC, Joy Reid gave one of her first interviews where she was visibly upset, shedding tears as she defended the work she had done at the network.
Reid, known for hosting “The ReidOut” on MSNBC for five years, will soon air her final episode, marking the end of her tenure on the network.
In a conversation with Jotaka Eaddy, the founder and CEO of WinWithBlackWomen, Reid expressed her emotions about the distressing situation, acknowledging that she was struggling to cope with the news.
Whether the “it” refers to the firing itself or the interview, it seems she is having a difficult time.
“I’ve been through every emotion, from anger, rage, disappointment, hurt,” Reid explained, noting she was also experiencing guilt knowing that her staffers were also out of work.
The hurt part of it all was pretty evident. The soon-to-be former MSNBC host paused early and often to wipe away tears as she claimed her work at the network was vital.
🚨 Joy Reid breaks down sobbing while addressing being fired from MSNBC:
“My show had value…whether it was the Black Lives Matter issues…We need to understand 1619 as the real founding of this country…Gaza…the American people have a right to object to little babies being… pic.twitter.com/Ux5Nu1lZf5
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 24, 2025
“My show had value,” she claimed without evidence. “And that — I’m sorry …”
At this point, Joy was joyless as she paused again to wipe the tears.
“That um, that what I was doing had value, had value, and in the end — I’m sorry … I try not to cry on TV, and this is kind of like on TV. So I apologize.”
Reid’s voice frequently cracked and trembled as she tried to fight through her thoughts, a fight she often lost throughout her career, whether there were tears or not.
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At one point, someone comes into the frame and offers Joy a Kleenex to help her through the challenging interview.
Reid conveyed that the service she provided MSNBC viewers was “to try to tell the truth,” something she failed at by simultaneously running down her list of accomplishments, which included claiming “1619 as the real founding of this country.”
The 1619 Project is a fact-challenged effort to rewrite the history of America as the date African slaves arrived in Virginia. Developed by the New York Times, it is described as an effort “to reframe the country’s history” by focusing almost exclusively on slavery.
It, like much of Reid’s career commentary, is not based on any version of reality. But yeah, truth … or something.
Reid finishes up the interview by declaring she is, despite the tears, filled with joy as a panel is introduced that celebrates their muse as if she is some sort of conquering hero.
They’re thanking Joy Reid for her service like she’s a war veteran 😭 pic.twitter.com/1q18IVqm02
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 24, 2025
While some might not want to relish Joy Reid’s tears, it’s important to remember she doesn’t grant others the same grace. Reid mocked Kyle Rittenhouse, who shed tears while enduring a life-altering trial for homicide by a malicious prosecutor who attempted to capitalize on BLM protests and sympathy.
She referred to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s emotional response to being falsely accused of sexual assault as “white tears” and, as Megyn Kelly points out, she “laughingly mocked ‘white women tears’ as pathetic and offensive to her.”
Remember when Joy Reid laughingly mocked “white women tears” as pathetic and offensive to her?
Who’s crying now, Joy? Good riddance to the absolute worst person on television, and shame on NBC for letting it go on this long.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 23, 2025
More recently, Reid made fun of Trump supporters who might get upset if they’re not invited to Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends because of who they voted for.
This rant by Joy Reid is something special. She has the emotional and intellectual maturity of a child.
Says white folks on Thanksgiving are essentially saying: “Before we pack you off to the reservation and snuff out your culture, could you please pass the corn on the cob?” pic.twitter.com/vTr4zNHiBa
— Rusty (@Rusty_Weiss) November 28, 2024
“Make your own dinner, MAGA, make your own sandwiches, wipe your own tears, troll amongst yourselves with Elon, and leave us alone,” she rabidly spat at viewers. “You got your heart’s desire, the president you dreamed of in worship instead of Jesus.”
Now, it looks like Reid can enjoy some lonely nights microwaving TV dinners by herself and wiping her own tears. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving individual.