Shauna Thomas, the former executive producer of “CBS Mornings” and recognized as Gayle King’s close collaborator, is transitioning to MS NOW as the network enhances its political coverage ahead of the midterm elections.
Thomas, confirmed by network owner Versant, will lead the political department, managing election and campaign coverage while also making appearances on air.
Interestingly, she had previously declined an offer from CBS News to continue as a contributor after stepping down from her role at CBS Mornings.
In her new position, she is set to guide the network’s content as voters begin to consider their choices for the upcoming November election.
“I’m honored to work with everyone at MS NOW to bring information to an audience that craves context, meaning, and current political intrigue,” she stated, reflecting on her passion for the work.
There’s a hint of nostalgia in her words: “It’s no secret that I’ve missed Washington, D.C., but this is a homecoming of sorts.”
Thomas is joining MS NOW shortly after her departure from CBS Mornings, a role she had held since 2021. Her exit from CBS coincided with significant changes being implemented by Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief of the Paramount Skydance-owned news division.
Her departure happened just days after King renewed her contract with CBS. Reports indicated that prior to leaving CBS, Thomas had advocated for adjustments aimed at improving the show’s sluggish ratings.
Some insiders shared that she was seen as a barrier to necessary changes, suggesting that King had “empowered” her to set a direction that may have led to declining viewership.
Viewership for CBS Mornings, which was once a key revenue stream under Thomas, has recently dipped below 1.8 million daily viewers. Critics even pointed to some of her programming decisions—like segments on diversity and interviews with drag queens—as potential reasons for losing audience interest.
An experienced figure in political and broadcast journalism, Thomas spent more than a decade at NBC News, climbing from news assistant to senior producer and senior digital editor for “Meet the Press.” She has also played a significant role in election coverage while working as a White House and Capitol Hill producer.
Later on, she was vice news’s Washington bureau chief, overseeing political and policy reporting for HBO’s “Vice News Tonight.”
