Former MSNBC host Joy Reid revealed that network executives were “horrified” by her social media presence and repeatedly pressured her to cease posting on platforms like Twitter before ultimately canceling her primetime show “The ReidOut” in February. The claims emerged during a candid interview with Katie Couric on June 3, 2025, as Reid prepares to launch her new independent podcast and YouTube series.
Reid described receiving frequent calls from MSNBC management whenever she posted content online. She explained that executives disliked how social media allowed talent to communicate directly with audiences without running content through Standards and Practices departments. According to Reid, this direct communication gave personalities autonomy that was no longer managed and curated by network leadership.
The longtime television host expressed confusion about the reasoning behind her show’s cancellation, stating she had been asked about it repeatedly but remained genuinely uncertain about the decision. Reid noted that she learned of the cancellation shortly after exchanging congratulatory emails with MSNBC’s public relations team regarding the show’s NAACP Image Award win. She described the manner in which the news was delivered as scripted and perfunctory, with no specific explanation provided.
Reid firmly disputed that poor ratings contributed to the show’s end, revealing that recent ratings meetings had indicated “The ReidOut” was performing relatively well compared to other programs following Donald Trump’s election victory. She noted that aside from Rachel Maddow’s show, her program had experienced the smallest decline in viewership during that period. Reid also pointed out that ratings had not improved since her departure from the network.
The cancellation occurred as part of a broader programming overhaul led by MSNBC’s new president, Rebecca Kutler. The restructuring also affected other hosts including Alex Wagner and Katie Phang. Reid’s final broadcast aired on February 24, 2025, after nearly five years hosting the 7 p.m. weekday program. Her time slot was subsequently filled by a panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez from “The Weekend.”
During her final episode, Reid devoted significant time to instructing viewers on resistance methods during Trump’s presidency, warning that fascism was already present in American society. She referenced historical resistance movements and encouraged audience members to learn from past examples of civil disobedience and activism. Fellow MSNBC hosts joined the broadcast to pay tribute to their departing colleague.
Reid acknowledged that her role as a Black woman in media may have created different dynamics regarding criticism of Trump. She suggested that there might be a particular sensitivity to hearing certain types of criticism from Black women specifically. However, she maintained that she did not necessarily believe her outspoken Trump criticism was the primary reason for her show’s cancellation, while acknowledging it could have played a role.
The host indicated she had already been exercising extra caution with her social media activity due to growing concerns within the network about talent engaging online. She revealed there was significant anxiety about social media use among MSNBC management, leading to increased pressure on hosts to limit their online presence.
The cancellation sparked immediate controversy, with former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann characterizing the moves as racially motivated. He noted that several non-white anchors were removed around the same time, calling it a purge that appeared discriminatory. Rachel Maddow also criticized the decision during her own program, calling Reid’s departure indefensible and noting the concerning pattern of non-white hosts losing their shows.
Trump celebrated Reid’s departure on Truth Social, using derogatory language to describe both the host and the network. He claimed Reid should have been terminated much earlier due to what he characterized as poor ratings, while also attacking other MSNBC personalities including Maddow and Al Sharpton. The president demanded that the network pay “vast sums of money” for what he described as damage done to the country.
Reid maintained her stance on various controversial topics she had covered during her tenure, including Black Lives Matter issues, immigration advocacy, and criticism of military actions in Gaza. She stated she was not sorry for standing up for these positions, describing them as matters of conscience. Reid launched “The Joy Reid Show” as an independent podcast and YouTube series on June 9, 2025, marking her return to media following her MSNBC departure.