After abruptly leaving MSNBC, JOY Reid’s colleagues were caught off guard and worried about potential job cuts, as sources shared with The U.S. Sun.
The 17-year veteran was given her marching orders last Sunday, just weeks after taking a pay cut to try to help the struggling network.
Reid said goodbye on Monday with the final episode of her show, ReidOut, wrapping up six years on air. However, the fallout from her unexpected departure has unsettled the entire newsroom.
Tensions are already at a boiling point following the leak of a virtual meeting led by MSNBC chief Rebecca Kutler, according to Status.
A writer from the show who spoke to The U.S. Sun revealed that Reid’s co-workers, including journalists and production staff, felt angry and disheartened to discover their uncertain future through the media.
While many concede there “is nothing that could change the decision,” there is now a real fear for the future.
“Many people, including hosts and top talent, know they aren’t safe,” said the insider. “This is still a very fragile situation.”
MSNBC has faced numerous challenges since Donald Trump’s election victory last November.
Star anchor Joe Scarborough, as extensively reported by The U.S. Sun, sparked anger among fellow staffers by meeting with POTUS after initially insisting they wouldn’t dine with him at the White House.
Ratings have fallen since Trump’s return to office, with Rashida Jones, the network’s president, stepping down in January—a move that triggered a slew of changes.
Those numbers, the insider says, have begun to creep back up—yet the problems remain.
The source said many of his colleagues are actively seeking new employment.
“There is a lot of tension,” he continued, “and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. We are facing tough times and are ready for anything.
“It’s not getting really better, as despite the numbers getting better, there are still many, many changes.
“I really understand why many people, including star hosts, are looking for opportunities somewhere else, as the ‘ship’ is still in a very weak situation.”
Another MSNBC insider, with over 20 years of experience in news and production, said that despite the chaos of the past few months, Reid’s departure still took many by surprise.
He noted that people working on Reid’s show felt safer than others but admitted that stress levels have soared since the news broke, especially since many connected to the broadcast had been feeling secure following positive feedback.
Joy Reid’s final show monologue
Joy Reid delivered a bizarre warning about “fascism” on her final show on Monday night.
At the beginning of her send-off, Reid claimed fascism is “already here” in a bitter dig at President Donald Trump.
“When you are in the midst of a crisis, and specifically a crisis of democracy, how do you resist?” she said.
Reid also encouraged viewers to “just say no” to anything they disagree with and compared the current political divide to the fight for abolishing slavery or the civil rights movement.
“The first rule is to fight back. To never stop resisting,” she said.
“Even if it’s scary or uncomfortable or inconvenient, just keep saying no.”
Reid was highly criticized and branded as “bitter” for the final sign-off.
Reid’s surprise dismissal has caused her colleagues to “lose focus,” with other MSNBC employees sharing their own fears for the future.
“Many people are scared,” said the source. “We thought the show would be running for years.”
Reid’s replacement has not been named, but for the foreseeable future, Symone Sanders-Townsend, political commentator and former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez will share hosting duties.
Left-leaning Reid was a fan favorite, and fellow top talent Rachel Maddow did not hesitate to criticize MSNBC executives.
“I don’t want to lose her as a colleague here at MSNBC, and personally, I think it is a bad mistake to let her walk out the door,” Maddow, 51, said live on air. “It’s not my call, and I understand that, but that’s what I think.”
There is now widespread unease at MSNBC, with one insider predicting more casualties in the coming weeks.
“I understand why so many people are looking for new opportunities elsewhere,” he said. “The network is in a seriously weak situation.”
Rachel Maddow rips own MSNBC bosses live on air
Rachel Maddow blasted her own bosses live on air on Monday in a monologue where she slammed the decision to cancel Joy Reid’s show.
She told viewers that Reid’s decision to leave was one that’s “hard to take.”
“In all of the jobs I have had, in all of the years I have been alive, there is no colleague for whom I have had more affection and more respect than Joy Reid,” Maddow said.
“I love everything about her. I have learned so much from her.
“I don’t want to lose her as a colleague here at MSNBC and personally I think it is a bad mistake to let her walk out the door.
“It’s not my call and I understand that, but that’s what I think.”
