Joy Reid’s recent departure from MSNBC has created significant ripples across the media landscape, with new developments suggesting her exit may have been more contentious than initially reported. The veteran journalist, who hosted “The ReidOut” since 2020, has spoken publicly about her emotional journey following the end of her primetime show while reports indicate potential behind-the-scenes tensions at the network.
Reid Breaks Silence on Her Departure
Speaking on the Win With Black Women podcast, Reid revealed she has experienced a range of emotions since leaving MSNBC, including frustration, disappointment, and guilt over the impact on her team members who lost their jobs1. “I’ve been through every emotion over the past several days,” she admitted, highlighting particular concern for her staff1.
Despite the difficult transition, Reid expressed gratitude for the support she has received from viewers and colleagues. She remains proud of the work accomplished on “The ReidOut,” where she addressed major social and political issues including racial justice, immigration, and American politics1.
“I am not sorry that I stood up for those things, because those things are of God,” Reid stated, referencing topics she frequently covered, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza1.
Network Restructuring and Programming Changes
Reid’s departure is part of a broader reorganization at MSNBC affecting both weekday and weekend schedules. The network has announced that her 7 p.m. time slot will now be filled by “The Weekend” ensemble featuring Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, who will host Tuesday through Friday1.
Alicia Menendez will also lead a two-hour block from 7-9 p.m. on Mondays, making her the first Latina woman to host a primetime cable news program on MSNBC1.
Other significant changes include:
Alex Wagner, who previously hosted the 9 p.m. slot Tuesday through Thursday, transitioning to a new role as MSNBC’s senior political analyst
Jen Psaki taking over Wagner’s timeslot
Rachel Maddow returning to her Monday night anchoring duties in May1
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler acknowledged Reid’s contributions in a message to staff, stating: “We thank her for her countless contributions over the years. Her work has been recognized with several esteemed honors, including, most recently, the 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding News Series.”1
Reports of Long-Term Planning Behind Reid’s Exit
Industry insiders suggest Reid’s departure may have been planned well in advance. According to reporting from Status News, NBCUniversal executives had only signed Reid to a one-year contract extension during negotiations last year, rather than the standard three-to-five-year deals typically offered to network talent2.
“[H]er fate had been all but sealed long ago,” wrote former CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy. “Last year, when her expiring contract was renegotiated, MSNBC brass only signed her to a one-year extension, I’m told—a clear sign that network executives were keeping their options open rather than making a long-term commitment.”2
Reid’s ratings had declined recently, with February viewership of 973,000 representing a 28% drop from the same month in 2024. However, this decline generally aligned with broader viewership trends across MSNBC’s evening programming2.
Network Strategy Shift
Some reports suggest Reid’s departure may be connected to MSNBC’s efforts to broaden its appeal and potentially attract more conservative viewers. The network, which has traditionally catered to liberal audiences, appears to be reconsidering its positioning in the competitive cable news landscape2.
Reid, described by some as a “liberal firebrand known for her inflammatory rhetoric about MAGA conservatives,” may have no longer aligned with the network’s evolving strategy2. This shift comes as MSNBC faces challenges in maintaining viewership in a changing media environment.
Past Controversies and Credibility Questions
Reid’s tenure at MSNBC was not without controversy. In 2018, she faced significant scrutiny when homophobic slurs were discovered on her pre-fame blog, “The Reid Report”3. Initially, Reid claimed hackers were responsible for the offensive content and even stated she had reported the alleged hacking to the FBI3.
However, her explanation came under intense scrutiny when a cybersecurity expert she hired to validate her claims failed to produce convincing evidence4. The Daily Beast, where Reid was a paid contributor, suspended her column and launched its own investigation into her claims4.
Jonathan Nichols, the security consultant Reid hired, claimed to have found evidence that her blog was breached using information from the “Dark Web” and blamed some homophobic content on “screenshot manipulation”4. These claims were systematically dismantled by The Daily Beast’s tech expert Kevin Poulsen, who reported that “indicators of hacked posts don’t bear out” and that examples provided by Nichols “turned out to be untrue”4.
Eventually, Reid appeared to walk back her hacking claims, admitting on air that it seemed unlikely she was hacked while maintaining she didn’t recall making the offensive remarks3. “I genuinely do not believe I wrote those hateful things,” Reid told her viewers, adding, “The person I am now is not the person I was then.”3
This incident led to accusations of hypocrisy against MSNBC for standing by Reid despite questions about her credibility. Conservative commentator Carmine Sabia told Fox News that NBC’s treatment of Reid represented “the clear double standard that is rampant in mainstream media”3.
Reid’s Legacy and Future Prospects
Despite controversies, Reid built a significant career at MSNBC after joining the network in 2011 as a contributor. She advanced to become a weekend anchor in 2016 before securing her primetime spot in 20201. Throughout her tenure, she developed a reputation for covering political and social issues from a progressive perspective and providing a platform for diverse voices.
During her podcast appearance, Reid expressed pride in the diverse team she assembled for “The ReidOut” and acknowledged other Black female hosts who previously left MSNBC, including Melissa Harris-Perry and Tiffany Cross1.
While Reid’s future plans remain unclear, her extensive experience in journalism and media suggests she will likely continue to use her voice and platform in new ways. As she steps away from MSNBC, she leaves behind a complex legacy of bold journalism mixed with controversy1.
Industry Reactions and Support
Following her departure announcement, Reid received support from various colleagues, including Rachel Maddow, who tweeted in 2018 during the blog controversy: “Brains, guts, heart and soul — beloved Joy Reid has always been a treasured and brilliant colleague, but I’ve never been prouder to work with her than I am now.”3
However, critics have questioned MSNBC’s handling of Reid’s situation. Political commentator S.E. Cupp expressed concern about both Reid’s past comments and her response to them: “I’m sickened, as an LGBTQ supporter, that she said them. But I’m mad as a journalist that she lied. To her network, her viewers, and her colleagues. Trust is built on these moments.”3
As MSNBC continues its programming evolution, the circumstances surrounding Reid’s departure highlight the complex challenges facing media organizations as they navigate changing audience preferences, talent management, and accountability for past controversies while attempting to maintain credibility in a highly competitive and politically charged media environment.
