NBC News made a quick change of heart this week, cutting ties with former Republican National Committee chief Ronna McDaniel just days after bringing her on board as an on-air political contributor. The decision came after a wave of protest from NBC journalists and commentators, prompting NBC Universal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde to issue an apology to staff members who were disappointed by the hire.
The announcement that McDaniel would be contributing commentary across NBC’s platforms was met with criticism from prominent figures within the network. Former “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd openly questioned the decision, expressing doubts about McDaniel’s credibility given her support of former President Donald Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, labeling them as “Gaslighting” and “Character assassination.”
The backlash against McDaniel’s hiring extended beyond internal criticism, with a host of MSNBC personalities, including Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Nicolle Wallace, Jen Psaki, and Lawrence O’Donnell, publicly denouncing the move. Even Trump himself weighed in on the controversy, dismissing those behind the decision as “Radical Left Lunatics” and branding NBC leadership as “WEAK.”
The practice of news organizations hiring former politicians to provide commentary is not a novel concept. NBC News, for instance, enlisted Jen Psaki directly from her role as press secretary to President Joe Biden, while MSNBC features another former Republican National Committee chairman, Michael Steele, as a weekend show host. However, the McDaniel debacle raises concerns about the potential challenges networks may face in securing voices that can offer meaningful insights into Trump and his political endeavors.
Despite McDaniel’s brief stint at NBC, the fallout from her hiring may have a lasting impact. The chorus of disapproval from MSNBC’s top stars, culminating in a scathing critique from Rachel Maddow, the network’s leading figure, likening the hire to allowing a mobster to work in a district attorney’s office, underscores the gravity of the situation.
In the ever-evolving landscape of media and politics, the episode involving Ronna McDaniel serves as a reminder of the delicate balancing act news organizations must navigate when engaging with political figures. While the fallout from this incident will undoubtedly linger, one thing remains clear: the scrutiny and expectations surrounding the intersection of politics and journalism are higher than ever before.