Rachel Maddow’s Outburst at MSNBC Bosses Backfires as Ratings Plunge

In a dramatic twist, Rachel Maddow’s explosive rant at MSNBC bosses over the ousting of non-white hosts has backfired spectacularly, with her ratings taking a significant hit. The once-untouchable host has seen a sharp 22 percent slump in viewership, with her show dropping from 2.3 million viewers to 1.8 million since Donald Trump’s election win.

The steep decline in ratings is especially evident among the coveted younger demographic, with viewers aged 25-54 falling by 29 percent—nearly a third of the group advertisers rely on. As of early 2025, Maddow’s viewership has continued to slide, losing a quarter of her audience compared to the same period last year. This has prompted serious questions about her future at MSNBC, despite the show still dominating its time slot on some evenings.

A Backlash Against MSNBC’s Decisions

Maddow’s outburst came amid the network’s decisions to remove Joy Reid and other non-white hosts from prominent primetime positions. During a tense interaction with MSNBC’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, Maddow voiced her frustration, calling it a “bad mistake” to let Reid go. She argued that firing or demoting hosts based on race would hurt the network, adding that MSNBC had made a serious misstep in ousting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Her tirade seemed to echo a broader sense of dissatisfaction among the network’s talent pool, especially after Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart, two prominent non-white hosts, were also relegated to lesser roles. Despite these setbacks, Maddow’s call for a more racially inclusive network has raised eyebrows, especially as MSNBC has replaced Reid with a trio of hosts that includes Symone Sanders (black) and Alicia Menendez (Hispanic). Maddow made no mention of this shift, further fueling the controversy.

Maddow’s Huge Salary and Growing Discontent

Rachel Maddow’s financial situation is also a point of contention. The anchor, who signed a $25 million per year contract, has seen her earnings questioned, especially given the recent drop in viewership. Despite her decision to take a $5 million pay cut last year, Maddow’s salary is still higher than what 250 production staffers would earn combined, sparking conversations about the growing disparity between her compensation and the network’s financial struggles.

Some critics have suggested that Maddow’s immense salary could be better used to expand MSNBC’s ranks, particularly as the network faces layoffs, including 125 producers—many of whom work on Maddow’s show. Yet, as Maddow’s ratings continue to fall, insiders have speculated that her own outsized salary might become a point of contention with MSNBC’s leadership, particularly if her audience continues to dwindle.

Maddow’s Viewership Struggles Amid Political Shifts

Maddow’s ratings had long been a linchpin for MSNBC, but the recent drop has mirrored broader shifts in the political landscape, with Joe Biden’s presidency no longer providing the same level of high-stakes drama that fueled Maddow’s viewership. Fans and critics alike have pointed out that her audience—primarily older viewers—seems disinterested or uninformed about the issues she’s raising, which only compounds the challenges she faces in retaining relevance in a changing media environment.

Furthermore, Maddow’s dissatisfaction with MSNBC’s handling of its primetime talent reflects an underlying tension at the network. Many viewers, particularly those on social media, have called for Maddow to put her money where her mouth is by resigning, given her vocal outrage about the network’s choices. “Rachel Maddow will have to resign from MSNBC (and leave $ on the table),” one user wrote on Bluesky. “She won’t be able to maintain credibility on that platform.”

Can MSNBC Revive Maddow’s Fading Popularity?

Despite Maddow’s ongoing complaints about the network’s direction and her own frustration with its leadership, it’s clear that her career at MSNBC may be in jeopardy if the ratings continue to slip. The once-dominant host has been unable to recapture her previous level of influence, and the show’s most recent performance is raising questions about her longevity at the network.

The debate surrounding Maddow’s future is complicated by her influential position and her sizable audience. While the show still manages to win its time slot most nights, the massive drop in viewership—especially among younger, more coveted demographics—suggests that the show’s appeal is waning. Maddow’s critics argue that her recent behavior and controversial comments may be contributing to the problem, as viewers seem to be tuning out in droves.

At the same time, some believe that Maddow’s outburst at MSNBC could ultimately lead to her downfall. If her public grievances continue to dominate the conversation, it may undermine her credibility with the network’s leadership, leaving her in a precarious position.

Will Maddow’s Strategy Help or Hurt?

As Rachel Maddow’s future at MSNBC hangs in the balance, her decision to voice her frustrations with the network is a bold one. However, it’s unclear if this strategy will help her regain the traction she once had or if it will further alienate her audience. Only time will tell whether Maddow can return to her former glory, but one thing is clear: her public tirade and the subsequent ratings decline have raised significant doubts about her ability to recover.

While Maddow remains a central figure in MSNBC’s lineup, the question of whether she will be able to maintain her role as a leading voice in political commentary remains uncertain.