Former MSNBC primetime host Keith Olbermann has strongly criticized 

his former network for its decision to remove Joy Reid and cancel Alex Wagner’s nightly show, labeling the move as “racist.” 

He pointed out that MSNBC has now let go of all four women of color who have solo-hosted programs on the network, reinforcing his belief that these terminations were not coincidental.

MSNBC’s Programming Overhaul Sparks Backlash

Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Joy Reid’s The ReidOut was set to be canceled as part of a broader programming shake-up. 

In addition to Reid losing her weeknight broadcast, MSNBC is also expected to remove Alex Wagner from its primetime lineup. 

While Wagner will remain with the network as a correspondent, Reid is reportedly departing entirely.

Reid has been with MSNBC for more than a decade, making her sudden exit a shock to many. The cancellation of her show has left staff members feeling unsettled, as the entire production team has been terminated, though they have been encouraged to apply for other positions within the network.

The ReidOut is set to air its final episode this week. It will be replaced by a panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez. The trio currently co-hosts The Weekend, which has helped increase MSNBC’s morning viewership since its launch in early 2024.

Olbermann Calls MSNBC’s Decision “Racist”

Olbermann, who was once one of MSNBC’s most high-profile hosts before his exit in 2011, did not hold back in his criticism. During his Monday morning podcast, he condemned MSNBC for sidelining women of color in favor of individuals he described as “salespeople” who are more willing to follow the network’s directives.

“MSNBC fired Joy Reid, and yes, it is racist and maybe worse,” Olbermann said. “Yes, it is designed to keep out people who might think differently.” He went on to say that the network is actively rewarding former political figures who are more compliant, such as ex-party chairmen and former press secretaries.

The Pattern of Women of Color Being Removed from MSNBC

Olbermann also pointed out that Reid and Wagner’s firings follow a troubling pattern at MSNBC. “Four women of color have solo-hosted prominent shows on MSNBC, and all four of them have now been fired,” he noted.

In addition to Reid and Wagner, MSNBC previously canceled shows hosted by Melissa Harris-Perry and Tiffany Cross—both Black women with strong progressive voices. Olbermann suggested that their terminations were not coincidental but rather a sign that MSNBC was unwilling to stand by these hosts when they faced criticism.

He accused the network of caving to pressure from conservative media outlets, arguing that Harris-Perry, Cross, and Reid had repeatedly enraged right-wing critics. Instead of defending them, he claimed MSNBC chose to remove them to avoid controversy.

Concerns Over MSNBC’s New Hosts

While MSNBC is replacing Reid with a panel that includes people of color, Olbermann expressed skepticism about the network’s intentions. He characterized the incoming hosts as “safe” choices who wouldn’t challenge authority in the same way as their predecessors.

“MSNBC is bringing in salespeople rather than commentators or analysts,” he stated, adding that Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary who is expected to take over Wagner’s timeslot, fits this mold. “If anybody on television—besides her counterparts on Fox—is a salesperson as opposed to an analyst or a commentator, it’s Jen Psaki,” he said.

Olbermann argued that press secretaries and political strategists who transition to media roles have a history of presenting narratives rather than offering independent analysis. “These people are salespersons,” he continued. “If you’ve been a press secretary for a politician, you have—I’m sorry—lied.”

Trump’s Reaction and MSNBC’s Future

Shortly after news of Reid’s termination broke, former President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, celebrating her removal while also threatening MSNBC’s parent company, Comcast. He attacked Comcast’s chairman, Brian Roberts, and demanded that the company pay “vast swaths of money for the damage they’ve done to the United States.”

Meanwhile, MSNBC’s leadership, under new president Rebecca Kutler, is making major programming changes in an effort to stabilize the network’s ratings. With Rachel Maddow returning to a once-weekly format on Mondays, MSNBC is looking to expand Psaki’s role, giving her the 9 p.m. primetime slot that Wagner previously occupied.

The Importance of Diverse Voices in Media

Olbermann concluded his remarks by emphasizing the significance of diverse voices in political media. He argued that MSNBC needs hosts like Reid who speak to underrepresented communities and provide a platform for perspectives that might not otherwise be heard.

“We need a strong, vibrant, loud, fearless MSNBC,” he said. “Even if you don’t agree with Joy Reid, it’s important that she’s there for the people who identify with her and want to see someone like her representing their views.”

While MSNBC’s leadership remains firm in its restructuring decisions, the backlash from figures like Olbermann suggests that the network may face ongoing scrutiny over the choices it has made regarding its primetime lineup. Whether these changes will help MSNBC’s ratings or further alienate its core audience remains to be seen.

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