MSNBC is axing far left host Joy Reid’s 7pm show, “The Reidout,” as ratings flip-flop in the wake of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration — but if the batters on deck to take Reid’s place are any indication, the network has no interest in embracing an ideological shift.
Variety reported that Reid’s final episode is set to air in the last week of February — and other reports indicate that Reid, much like former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, plans to leave the network entirely. Alex Wagner, who hosts weeknights at 9pm except for the Mondays hosted by longtime network star Rachel Maddow, is also out.
But reports also indicate that despite the shake-up, the network is not going to change direction anytime soon.
Sliding into Reid’s slot on Mondays will be the trio that currently hosts “The Weekend” on Saturday and Sunday mornings: Symone Sanders-Townsend, who previously worked for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and former President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign in addition to working for former Vice President Kamala Harris; former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who has been sliding progressively leftward since leaving the party; and Alicia Menendez, daughter of disgraced former Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
Sanders-Townsend, Steele, and Menendez will get two hours on Mondays beginning at 7pm ET, and one hour at 7pm Tuesday through Friday.
Wagner’s spot will go at least in part to current the Sunday morning host of “Inside with Psaki,” former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. Wagner’s title will be changed to “contributor.”
Newly-named MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler, who was just named to the position on February 12, is said to be behind the changes. SpinCO CEO Mark Lazarus promoted Kutler from interim president to president, saying that he believed she was the one to move the recently-spun off network forward.
“In the short time that Rebecca was the interim president, it became clear to me that she has the big-picture strategic view and the right leadership skills to ensure MSNBC delivers on its brand promise and is positioned for growth during a time of industry change,” he said at the time.
