Atlanta, Georgia – Rachel Maddow made a bold statement on Monday night, criticizing NBC’s decision to hire former Republican National Committee chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, as an on-air contributor. Maddow, MSNBC’s top-rated political commentator, expressed disbelief at the network’s choice to bring on someone who had previously supported Donald Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud.
During her 9 p.m. show, Maddow likened the hiring of McDaniel to hiring a criminal to work at a law enforcement office, highlighting the disconnect between McDaniel’s past actions and her new position at NBC. The commentator called on NBC to reverse their decision, emphasizing the significance of such a move in an election year.
Ronna McDaniel, who recently announced her resignation as the RNC chair, had been supported by Trump after his 2016 presidential win. However, she has since distanced herself from the former president, leading to tensions within the Republican Party and disagreements over the 2020 election results. Trump’s endorsement of Lara Trump and Michael Whatley, both proponents of unfounded voter fraud claims, further complicates the political landscape.
Maddow is not the only MSNBC personality to speak out against NBC’s hiring of McDaniel. Joe Scarborough, host of Morning Joe, joined in the criticism, labeling McDaniel as “anti-democracy” and expressing strong opposition to her inclusion. Following internal concerns raised by staff members, NBC reportedly informed MSNBC personalities that McDaniel would not be featured on their network.
The backlash against NBC’s decision also extended to social media, with calls for a boycott initiated by a former NBCUniversal senior executive. The backlash culminated in a plea to boycott NBC’s program, Meet the Press, where McDaniel was scheduled to make her debut, intensifying the debate surrounding her hiring.
In response to the controversy, McDaniel addressed her acknowledgment of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election and condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol during an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker. Despite her attempts to clarify her stance, the debate over her role at NBC continues to unfold.
Maddow emphasized that the issue at hand goes beyond partisanship, highlighting the broader implications for democracy and the integrity of elections. As the country grapples with these challenges, the scrutiny surrounding McDaniel’s hiring serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic processes and principles.
As the debate rages on, NBC News has yet to offer a public response to the growing concerns raised by various media personalities and the public regarding the hiring of Ronna McDaniel.