NBC’s Chuck Todd revealed that the network hired former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel shortly after she made her debut on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.”
Todd told NBC host Kristen Welker that NBC should apologize for letting McDaniels do the interview, and that McDaniels said many of the network’s journalists are paid contributors. “I feel uncomfortable,” he said.
“Let me address the elephant in the room,” Todd began. “I don’t know what to believe, so I think your boss owes you an apology for putting you in this situation.”
“She is now a paid contributor for NBC News,” Todd told Welker. “I don’t know if the answer she gave you was because she didn’t want to ruin her deal.”
“She wants us to believe that she was speaking on behalf of the RNC when the RNC is paying for it. So she still has credibility issues that she has to deal with.” I have a problem. Is she speaking for herself or on behalf of the people who are paying her? When she went to the RNC, she said so. “Hey, I’m speaking on behalf of the party.” I get that, that’s part of the job. So, what about here? ” he asked.
WATCH: Chuck Todd just attacked his network, NBC News, over the hiring of Ronna McDaniel. “Our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation,” he told Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. “There’s a reason why so many journalists at NBC News are uncomfortable… pic.twitter.com/gjjhy7s4TN
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) March 24, 2024
Todd told Welker that he “did a good job” of “exposing” McDaniel’s “inconsistencies” during the interview. He said several NBC News employees were concerned about the station’s hiring of the former Republican National Committee chairman. (Related: Donald Trump says there must be three exceptions to abortion)
“There’s a reason a lot of journalists at NBC News are uncomfortable with this,” Todd said. “Many of my professional dealings with the RNC over the past six years have been met with gaslighting and character assassination.”
“When NBC made the decision to give her the credibility of NBC News, you had to ask yourself, what will she bring to NBC News? When you make a deal, and I’ve been with this company a long time, you’re doing it for access. Access to an audience. Access to individuals in some cases. And journalists about it. You can debate the ethics of that. And I’m going to have that debate,” Todd added.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald pointed out that “soap operas” never occur when Democratic “operatives” are employed by major networks like ABC and NBC. He cited former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who negotiated a contract with MSNBC before leaving the Biden administration, as an example. Greenwald also mentioned ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, who was hired with “no journalistic experience” shortly after working for President Bill Clinton.
NBC also hired John. brennan He became a contributor in 2018 after serving as CIA director in the Obama administration.
NBC negotiated Jen Psaki’s contract while she was White House press secretary.
ABC hired George Stephanopoulos, who had no journalism experience, directly from WH Clinton.
All these networks employ operatives from the US national security state.
That in no way prompts this melodrama. https://t.co/ToExKFxiI8
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) March 24, 2024
McDaniel’s appointment has sparked an “internal backlash” at NBC and MSNBC, with various MSNBC anchors and producers expressing concern about the former RNC chairman’s obsession with former President Donald Trump. MSNBC President Rashida Jones said, “We have no plans to hire McDaniel on our channel.”according to To the Wall Street Journal.
You may have read that former RNC Secretary Ronna McDaniel has signed a deal to appear on NBC and MSNBC shows. now, @WSJ MSNBC reports that she will not appear due to “internal backlash.” https://t.co/XZSxnUssUI pic.twitter.com/0ja5P4RqS8
— Byron York (@ByronYork) March 24, 2024
McDaniel resigned on March 8 after it became clear that former President Donald Trump would secure the Republican nomination for president in 2024. Former North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley was elected to replace Mr. McDaniel and currently serves as RNC Chairman.
