NBC News is actively considering severing ties Ronna McDaniel network insiders told Fox News Digital after hiring her as an analyst received terrible reviews.
The former Republican National Committee chairman was signed on as a paid contributor last week, leaving NBC’s current and former staffers, as well as media critics who thought the longtime Donald Trump ally was unacceptable for the news organization. There was an immediate uproar among the people.
MSNBC officials told FOX News Digital that the backlash against McDaniel’s hiring was worse than expected, not only from within NBC but also from leadership, and that there was discussion about firing McDaniel. Spokespeople for NBC News and MSNBC did not respond to requests for comment, and McDaniel remained with the networks as of Monday.
The official added that NBC was happy to cut McDaniel, saying she has been operating in bad faith for years, has credibility issues and has been involved in election denial, and that she has been involved in election denial since 2020. Alluded to her role in supporting President Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results and his rhetoric. Her election was unfair.
NBC News debacle: Ronna McDaniel’s hiring infuriates MSNBC officials and prompts on-air condemnation
former RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel; (David McNew/Getty Images)
MSNBC President Rashida Jones had already told colleagues over the weekend that McDaniel would not be appearing on the airwaves. MSNBC is the left-wing cable news division of NBC, said an official there. fox news digital She won’t be welcome on their show.
Another source at NBC News said he was “completely blindsided” by McDaniel joining the team.
“I haven’t talked to anyone who thinks that’s a good idea,” they told FOX News Digital.
Another MSNBC source also supported NBC dropping her altogether, suggesting that a former Trump official not involved in the “January 6 Plan” would replace her.
Another NBC source told Fox News Digital that he was not aware of any discussion about potentially removing McDaniel.
The uproar over McDaniel’s hiring isn’t just happening behind the scenes. Prominent hosts on the show’s “Meet the Press” and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” made revelations about McDaniel on air, and Mika Brzezinski called on NBC to reconsider the contract.
McDaniel appeared on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” for the first time since taking the job, attending what was originally scheduled to be his first interview since stepping down as RNC chairman.
But because host Kristen Welker had previously explained to viewers that she had no involvement in McDaniel’s hiring, it made for awkward television and turned into a typical news interview. She begins grilling her new colleagues about her checkered RNC tenure, her involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and whether she can be trusted. Ta.
Later, panelist and former show host Chuck Todd was furious that Mr. Welker had been put in the impossible situation of having to conduct a grueling interview with a paid colleague.
Former RNC Representative Ronna McDaniel finds new home as political analyst at NBC and MSNBC
“I think our boss owes you an apology for putting you in this situation, because you don’t know what to believe,” Todd said.
“I don’t think this is a Washington operative who is going to bring to the network what they want to bring to the network. I understand the motivation, but I think this execution was poor.”
On Monday’s “Morning Joe,” Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough also made their displeasure known. The show also played clips of McDaniel’s comments about the election, including saying that President Biden did not win the 2020 election fairly.
“To be clear, we believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices to balance our election coverage,” Brzezinski said. “But the person appearing should be a conservative Republican, not someone who used his position of power to deny an anti-democratic election. I hope NBC reconsiders its decision. Needless to say. , she will not be making guest appearances on “Morning Joe” in her capacity as a paid contributor. ”
Fox News Digital has said it is having internal discussions about a portion of its prime-time MSNBC show that also airs about McDaniel, and the pressure campaign could continue Monday night. .
During his interview with Welker, McDaniel somewhat backtracked on his past claims that the 2020 election was unfair. She also acknowledged contradicting former President Trump’s statements regarding the Jan. 6 mob release and criticizing former President Trump’s statements when she was still RNC chair.
NBC News host Kristen Welker and former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel clash in their first interview since joining NBC. (Screenshot/NBC)
“When you’re the RNC chairman, you’re kind of in charge of the whole team, right? Now I can be a little more myself, right? This is what I believe.” said McDaniel.
According to Pac News, McDaniel was signed for an annual salary of $300,000, a figure that could fuel resentment that Trump followers earn that kind of money, a former NBC official said. one staff member told FOX News Digital.
Ronna McDaniel clashes with NBC News in heated interview: ‘Do I owe this country an apology?’
NBC News political director Carrie Budoff Brown touted the McDaniel deal in a memo to staff last week, upsetting many at the network.
“There couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Rona on our team,” Brown wrote. “As we prepare for the longest general election season in recent memory, she will support our major coverage by providing an insider’s perspective on national politics and the future of the Republican Party. She led the Republican Party through some of the most turbulent and difficult times in political history. ”
The backlash started quickly. Former MSNBC analyst Steve Schmidt called it a “disgusting and cynical decision” and described McDaniel herself as a “wretched, lying woman.”
“I spent 10 years as an analyst at MSNBC. Today, for the first time, I’m ashamed of it. It’s disgusting,” he wrote to X.
DNC Chair Jamie Harrison attacked NBC News for hiring Ronna McDaniel as an analyst.
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann also criticized the decision, calling McDaniel a “totally dishonest fascist.” MSNBC Columnist Marisa Cabas Posted in Blue Sky She sent an email to NBC expressing her disappointment in McDaniel’s hiring, calling it “terrible.” Another columnist, Andrea Grimes, also supported the letter, adding: “Hehe, this is it.”
Democratic National Committee Chairman Jamie Harrison blasted NBC in a statement, calling McDaniel a “proven liar.”
“A free and independent press is a cornerstone of our democracy, and Donald Trump and his minions, including Ronna McDaniel, seek to undermine its credibility and make room for MAGA lies and deceit. “We have faced, and continue to face, unprecedented attacks by these people,” he said.
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“There should be no discussion of truth in our political discourse. Ronna McDaniel is a proven liar and has no place in honest, objective conversations about the future of this country.”
On Monday, NBC News Guild also joined in the action, saying that after firing 13 union reporters, NBC prioritized hiring “election deniers.” It was connected to a petition asking NBC News to “reconsider Rona and reinstate the reporter.”
McDaniel did not respond to requests for comment.
Fox News’ Brian Flood and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
