MSNBC’s recent programming shake-up, including the cancellation of Joy Reid’s show, has reportedly sparked accusations from former host Keith Olbermann, who claims the network is engaging in a “racist purge.”
He and other left-leaning figures, including Rachel Maddow, have expressed outrage over the removal of Reid and other non-white hosts, despite MSNBC’s longstanding reputation as a progressive network.
Olbermann’s claims suggest an internal divide among liberals, with some believing the leadership changes signal a shift in priorities.
MSNBC’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, is overseeing the restructuring, which includes replacing Reid’s show with a new panel program featuring Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, and Symone Sanders Townsend.
The network is also elevating former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to a more prominent role, giving her control of the 9 p.m. slot four nights a week.
BREAKING: MSNBC racist purge escalates. Ayman Mohyeldin, Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart ousted along with Joy Reid and Alex Wagner https://t.co/vgGlgUFhGI
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2025
While far-left critics frame these moves as a retreat from diversity, others see them as a pragmatic attempt to boost ratings and adjust to a changing media landscape.
Reid’s tenure at MSNBC has not been without controversy, with past inflammatory comments and low ratings frequently drawing criticism.
Some observers argue that her departure is less about race and more about business strategy, as MSNBC seeks to compete with other networks and rebrand itself in the wake of declining cable news viewership.
The backlash highlights the ongoing tensions within the left, as progressive media figures turn on their own network for perceived ideological betrayals.
MSNBC’s leadership now faces the challenge of balancing the demands of its activist base with the realities of television ratings and audience engagement.
The controversy surrounding these programming changes serves as yet another example of how identity politics continue to shape, and sometimes divide, the modern media landscape.
[READ MORE: MSNBC Reveals Shocking Shakeup Across the Board]
