NBC News ended its association with Ronna McDaniel on Tuesday. She was hired just a week ago as a political contributor. The decision to cut ties with her came after many NBC journalists and commentators expressed strong objections.
Cesar Conde, the Chairman of NBC Universal News Group, apologized to the staff who felt disappointed by the hiring. He said that the appointment didn’t support the unity needed in the newsroom.
McDaniel didn’t immediately respond to the news. She learned about losing her job through media reports, not directly from NBC.
Last Friday, NBC announced that McDaniel would provide commentary on various network platforms. They wanted her perspective because of her knowledge about the Republican Party and former President Donald Trump, especially as the 2024 election approaches.
But the reaction from NBC staff was quick and clear. Chuck Todd, a former moderator of “Meet the Press,” criticized the decision on air. He said he couldn’t trust McDaniel after her support for Trump following the 2020 election.
NBC News ended its association with Ronna McDaniel on Tuesday
Many MSNBC hosts, including Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Nicolle Wallace, Jen Psaki, and Lawrence O’Donnell, also spoke out against McDaniel’s hiring on their shows.
Rachel Maddow said that admitting mistakes is a sign of strength.
Some Republicans argued that NBC was not open to different viewpoints. They saw the quick hiring and firing of McDaniel as a sign of censorship.
The protest against McDaniel’s hiring was not because she is a Republican, but because she supported Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election.
It’s common for news organizations to hire former politicians. NBC News hired Jen Psaki directly from her role as press secretary for President Joe Biden. Michael Steele, another former Republican National Committee chairman, hosts a weekend show on MSNBC.
But there are concerns that the McDaniel incident may make it harder for networks to find voices who can provide insight into Trump and his campaign this year.
