In a recent podcast episode, former MSNBC host Joy Reid expressed concerns about President Donald Trump’s potential grip on American media. She suggested that if Trump continues his influence, major news organizations might end up under government control, akin to the media landscape in North Korea.
On “The Breakfast Club,” Reid—who noted that MSNBC has rebranded to MS NOW—argued that Trump is pursuing a strategy to gain control over significant media outlets, turning them into tools for government propaganda.
Reid painted a troubling picture of a future where media would reflect only Trump’s view, saying, “This one perspective you get happens to be the same perspective as the president of the United States. And now we’re North Korea. Because where can you get an alternative perspective?”
She referenced Viktor Orbán’s actions in Hungary, warning that a media environment monopolized by Trump would be dangerous, particularly in a diverse nation like the U.S. She emphasized the necessity of having access to a variety of viewpoints, even if they sometimes clash.
During the discussion, Reid highlighted how Trump has leveraged his position and relationships with media moguls to influence news organizations.
Additionally, some commentators pointed to Trump’s involvement in the merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery’s entertainment divisions as an example of his media influence. Ahead of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, Trump remarked to reporters, “I’m going to be involved in that decision,” indicating that such significant deals could pose problems for the industry.
Reid noted that Trump’s involvement in these negotiations stems from interest expressed by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who has been seeking a way to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
She pointed out that Trump’s continuous influence in such media deals could centralize power within a few companies, stating, “The end result is something like five media companies. They’re going to own everything from social media to regular media. That’s not good, because it leaves people with nowhere to go.”
Reid elaborated, suggesting that if the landscape continues this way, it could regress to an era where just a couple of networks exist, all aligned with government narratives.
Over the past year, Reid has repeatedly conveyed her apprehension regarding Trump’s hold over media, emphasizing that financial threats to broadcasters could sway media outlets to conform to government expectations.
In response, White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson dismissed Reid’s comments, claiming that she overlooked her own alignment with Democratic propaganda and noted that Reid had been let go from MSNBC.
