Joy Reid Claims MSNBC Fired Her Due to Race and Pressure Over Trump

Joy Reid, former host of The ReidOut on MSNBC, recently opened up about the reasons behind her firing from the network, claiming that her ousting had less to do with her show’s ratings and more to do with racial dynamics and pressure surrounding former President Donald Trump. Reid’s comments, made during an interview with former Today Show host Katie Couric, shed light on the complicated factors that led to her termination, and her remarks have sparked intense debate across the political spectrum.

Reid’s Bold Claims About Her Firing

In a candid conversation, Reid described the feeling of being let go from MSNBC earlier this year, explaining that she had always tried to avoid speculating about her termination publicly. However, Reid couldn’t help but acknowledge the whispers she’d heard within the network, suggesting that her race and outspoken stance against Trump played a significant role in her firing. “There are a lot of people at the network who are critical of Donald Trump. I mean and they’re still critical of him, I’m assuming,” Reid said. She went on to suggest that there was a palpable “anxiety” surrounding Trump at MSNBC, and across the media in general.

Reid referred to her firing as part of a larger trend across networks to avoid harsh criticism of Trump, mentioning that some networks were advising their hosts to “do less Trump” and focus more on entertainment rather than serious political commentary. She seemed to suggest that her role in challenging Trump and pushing back against his policies may have made her an uncomfortable figure within the network.

Race and the Power Dynamics in Media

Reid’s comments took a more personal turn when she discussed how race played a role in her experience at MSNBC. “I think there is a difference for Trump in hearing the kinds of criticisms, specifically out of a Black woman,” she said. “It bothers him in a way it doesn’t bother him like anything else.” Her statement reflects an ongoing conversation about race in politics and the media, particularly the ways in which Black journalists and commentators are often treated differently from their white counterparts.

Reid argued that Trump’s history of attacking Black women journalists could explain why her criticism of him might have been seen as more troubling to some in the media. “He’s got this sort of tick about race, you know, and about, sort of criticism coming specifically from a Black woman,” Reid claimed. Her words underline the unique challenges that Black women face in public discourse, particularly when speaking out against powerful figures like Trump.

The Ratings Debate: A Missed Opportunity?

While Reid acknowledged the pressures surrounding her termination, she was quick to defend the performance of The ReidOut in terms of ratings. She claimed that her show was not canceled due to poor viewership, arguing that it performed relatively well compared to other MSNBC programs during the 2024 election cycle. “We were told we were holding on pretty well,” she said, suggesting that her show’s ratings were not significantly lower than others in the same timeslot.

However, The ReidOut did experience a drop in viewership after the 2024 election. The show averaged around 759,000 viewers by May 2025, a noticeable decline from its peak of 1.4 million viewers earlier in the election season. Despite these numbers, Reid’s defense of her show’s ratings pointed to a broader issue within MSNBC—network executives seemed to prioritize other shifts, including the introduction of new programming and the reshuffling of talent.

The network’s decision to cancel The ReidOut in favor of The Weeknight, a new panel show featuring Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, signals a shift in MSNBC’s approach. But with ratings falling across the board, the new lineup has yet to prove itself, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the network’s future direction.

Struggles with Social Media and Network Control

In addition to the ratings issues, Reid also touched on the tension between her social media presence and the expectations of her employers. She admitted that her Twitter activity, where she often voiced strong opinions, caused problems with network executives. “Anytime I would tweet anything, I would get calls—‘Please get off Twitter, we hate it,’” Reid said, explaining that the network did not like how she was engaging directly with her audience without going through their established channels.

The struggle between being a public figure with a direct connection to her audience and working within the confines of a corporate media structure is a tension that many journalists face today. Reid’s candidness on social media, often reflecting her views on race and politics, seemed to be at odds with the carefully curated image that MSNBC hoped to present.

The Changing Landscape of MSNBC

Reid’s firing comes at a time when MSNBC is facing significant changes. Under the leadership of new president Rebecca Kutler, the network has attempted to refresh its programming and attract a broader audience. However, the ratings decline, combined with the departure of key figures like Steve Kornacki and the uncertainty surrounding other anchors such as Ari Melber, signals deeper challenges for the network.

The shake-up at MSNBC isn’t just about one show or one anchor—it’s about the network’s ability to adapt to a changing media landscape. The rise of streaming services and new digital platforms has disrupted traditional television news, and MSNBC’s struggles with viewership reflect broader industry trends. In particular, the challenge of balancing the demands of both a partisan audience and the need for credible, objective journalism has become more pronounced.

What’s Next for Joy Reid?

While Reid has been let go from MSNBC, her voice in the media landscape is far from silenced. She has already made it clear that she won’t shy away from speaking her mind, particularly when it comes to issues of racial justice, inequality, and political accountability. Though she no longer has a daily platform on MSNBC, Reid’s passionate advocacy for change, combined with her strong presence on social media, ensures that she will continue to be a force in the conversation about race and politics in America.

As for the future of MSNBC, the network’s ongoing struggles to retain viewers in its primetime lineup suggest that the challenges it faces are far from over. The decision to cancel The ReidOut and shuffle its programming speaks to a larger shift in how the network plans to engage with a changing media landscape. Whether it will succeed in recapturing its audience remains to be seen.

Conclusion: The Struggles of a Media Giant

Joy Reid’s departure from MSNBC marks the end of an era for the network, but it also signals a larger conversation about the evolving role of media in American politics. As the media industry continues to grapple with issues of bias, ratings, and audience engagement, Reid’s departure raises important questions about how networks balance corporate interests with the need for journalistic integrity.

While Reid’s tenure at MSNBC has ended, her legacy as a strong, outspoken voice for social change remains intact. Her future in media—whether through independent projects or new opportunities—will no doubt continue to be shaped by her commitment to truth, accountability, and advocacy for marginalized voices in American society. As for MSNBC, the future of the network is uncertain, and it will take more than a few programming changes to restore the trust of the audience it has lost.