MSNBC has officially canceled The ReidOut, the evening political talk show hosted by Joy Reid, marking the end of her tenure in the 7 p.m. ET time slot. 

Reid’s final episode is scheduled to air Monday, after which the time slot will be filled by a new panel discussion show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, 

Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele, sources told The New York Times.

A Career Marked by Controversies

Joy Reid’s three-decade-long career in broadcasting has been overshadowed by multiple controversies, including resurfaced blog posts, inflammatory comments, 

and politically charged statements that have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.

One of the earliest and most significant scandals surrounding Reid emerged in 2017, when old blog posts she had written between 2007 and 2009 came to light. 

These posts, which contained homophobic remarks about former Florida Governor Charlie Crist, led to significant backlash. The blog, titled The Reid Report, frequently speculated about Crist’s sexuality, with Reid referring to him as “Miss Charlie” and categorizing posts under “gay politicians.”

Although Reid later apologized, acknowledging that her tone and language were inappropriate, the controversy tarnished her reputation. She initially claimed that her blog had been hacked, but cybersecurity experts found no evidence to support this claim.

Further Controversies and Backlash

Reid faced additional scrutiny in 2018 when more past blog posts were discovered, including ones in which she made anti-gay comments and controversial statements about Islam. In a 2006 post, she wrote that “current iterations of Islam are largely incompatible with Western notions of free speech and expression”—a remark that many criticized as Islamophobic.

Her controversies didn’t end there. In 2020, Reid sparked outrage after comparing radicalized supporters of former President Donald Trump to “the way Muslims act”—a statement that many viewed as deeply offensive. The backlash prompted Trump himself to call for her firing, but MSNBC continued to stand by her.

In more recent years, Reid again found herself at the center of controversy following the assassination attempt on Trump in 2024. She took to X (formerly Twitter) to share conspiracy theories questioning whether Trump had actually been shot, a move that drew widespread criticism.

Declining Ratings and MSNBC’s Decision

While controversies may have played a role in MSNBC’s decision to cancel The ReidOut, the network has also been struggling with plummeting ratings. Reid’s show, which debuted in 2020 as a replacement for Hardball with Chris Matthews, has seen a steady decline in viewership, particularly in the highly competitive primetime slot.

MSNBC’s decision to replace The ReidOut with a panel discussion format suggests a shift in programming strategy, possibly aimed at revamping its evening lineup to attract a broader audience. The new show, set to be co-hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele, will likely bring a different dynamic to the network’s primetime programming.

Reid’s Apology and Crist’s Response

Following the uproar over her past blog posts, Reid issued a public apology, acknowledging that her words had been offensive and hurtful.

“This note is my apology to all who are disappointed by the content of blogs I wrote a decade ago, for which my choice of words and tone have legitimately been criticized,” she wrote in a Facebook statement shared with NBC News.

She admitted that her approach had been misguided and that she had learned to be more thoughtful in her critiques. “Re-reading those old blog posts, I am disappointed in myself. I apologize to those who also are disappointed in me. Life can be humbling. It often is. But I hope that you know where my heart is, and that I will always strive to use my words for good. I know better and I will do better.”

Crist, who was at the center of the controversy, accepted her apology, responding on social media with a gracious message: “Long forgotten, but thank you, Joy. I appreciate you.”

What’s Next for Joy Reid?

With The ReidOut coming to an end, the future of Joy Reid’s career remains uncertain. While she has been a prominent voice in political commentary, her history of controversies and declining ratings may make it challenging for her to secure another high-profile role in mainstream media.

Despite the setbacks, Reid still has a loyal audience, and it remains to be seen whether she will transition to another platform, such as independent media, podcasting, or a different television role.

For now, MSNBC is moving in a new direction, and the cancellation of The ReidOut marks the end of an era for the network’s primetime lineup. Whether the new panel show will succeed in attracting viewers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Joy Reid’s time at MSNBC has been anything but uneventful.

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