Conservative pundit Ann Coulter has issued a scathing response following the cancellation of Joy Reid’s MSNBC show, The ReidOut.
Coulter took to social media to share a 2015 clip from Real Time with Bill Maher, where both she and Reid were part of a panel.
In the segment, Maher asks the panel which Republican candidate had the best chance of winning the 2016 presidential election.
Coulter responded with a bold prediction, saying, “Of the declared ones, right now, Donald Trump.”
Reid, visibly shocked by the statement, could be seen blinking twice with her mouth agape.
Using this moment to mock Reid, Coulter tweeted, “Now that Joy Reid is looking for a new job, I should hire her to follow me around every moment, night and day, to react with open-mouthed, saucer-eyed astonishment at every prediction I make, which of course will then come true.”
Coulter’s sharp jab is a direct response to Reid’s ousting, which has become a hot topic in the media world.
Reid, who had hosted The ReidOut on MSNBC since 2020, was unceremoniously fired after months of declining ratings. The cancellation of her show was leaked early on a Sunday morning and confirmed by network executives just hours later. This move was part of a broader programming overhaul at MSNBC, which is now aiming to restructure its lineup in response to poor ratings and an effort to adjust its political stance. As part of the changes, Reid’s 7 p.m. ET time slot will be replaced by a new panel show co-hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele.
MSNBC’s Efforts to Reposition Its Programming
MSNBC has reportedly been trying to shift its tone as part of a larger restructuring effort, focusing on presenting a more “palatable” form of progressivism that would appeal to a broader audience. The network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, has made it clear that the changes are not politically motivated but are instead based on “data analysis and programming strategy” aimed at better positioning MSNBC for the future.
However, sources close to the situation suggest that Reid’s progressive, anti-Trump rhetoric had begun to create internal friction at the network. According to reports from Status News, MSNBC executives were concerned that Reid’s overtly liberal views were making the network a target for criticism, especially as the country entered the second term of Donald Trump’s presidency. Some within the network believe that Reid’s focus on topics like Black Lives Matter and immigrant rights alienated a portion of MSNBC’s audience, leading to a significant drop in viewership.
Reid’s ousting also comes after a series of high-profile moves within NBCUniversal. In addition to Reid’s exit, longtime NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt also announced that he would be stepping down from his role, which has raised further questions about the network’s direction and its treatment of non-white talent.
The Controversies Surrounding Joy Reid
Reid’s career has been marked by several controversies, dating back to 2017 when homophobic blog posts she had written about former Florida Governor Charlie Crist resurfaced. These posts, from 2007 to 2009, led to public backlash, and Reid initially claimed that her blog had been hacked. However, further investigations uncovered more inflammatory posts from 2006, including remarks about Islam and its compatibility with Western values. Her past comments, along with her sharp rhetoric on her MSNBC show, have made her a polarizing figure.
In 2020, Reid sparked outrage after comparing radical Trump supporters to the behavior of radicalized Muslims, a comment that drew condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum. More recently, her controversial remarks about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in 2023, where she shared unverified conspiracy theories, added to the growing concerns about her judgment and the direction of her commentary.
Despite these controversies, Reid maintained a loyal following, and she became a strong voice for progressive causes, particularly focusing on issues of race and social justice. In her final remarks following her firing, she expressed deep emotion, stating, “I’ve been through every emotion… anger, rage, disappointment, hurt… guilt,” but ultimately expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have had her own show. Reid explained that she had no regrets about tackling tough subjects and taking strong stances on progressive issues, calling her commitment to these causes “of God.”
Coulter’s Criticism and the Fallout
While Reid expressed gratitude in her farewell, Coulter’s mocking commentary about her reaction in the 2015 Real Time clip highlights the sharp divide between the conservative and progressive media worlds. Coulter’s criticism of Reid echoes broader frustrations from the right, who have long targeted Reid for her progressive views and her outspoken criticism of Trump.
As Reid’s career at MSNBC comes to an end, the fallout from her firing is far from over. The shift at MSNBC is not only a loss for Reid but also raises important questions about the network’s future direction and its handling of diversity in its programming lineup. With the cancellation of Reid’s show, the reorganization of MSNBC’s primetime slots, and the departures of other prominent anchors, the network faces a challenging period as it seeks to recalibrate its identity and reclaim its audience.
As for Coulter, her comments serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions within the media landscape, where personalities like Reid and herself represent opposing forces in the ideological battle for influence and relevance. Whether MSNBC’s new direction will pay off or backfire remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Reid’s departure has added another layer to the ongoing media drama.
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