Morning Joe hosts on MSNBC have sparked controversy with their strong opposition to the network’s decision to hire Ronna McDaniel as a pundit. McDaniel, who is also the chair of the Republican National Committee, has come under fire for her role in former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Co-host Mika Brzezinski criticized McDaniel’s hiring, raising concerns about her credibility and calling on NBC to reverse their decision. Another MSNBC host, Nicolle Wallace, echoed these sentiments, warning that McDaniel’s presence could pose a threat to democracy.
Even NBC News political director Chuck Todd joined the chorus of criticism, expressing sympathy for his colleague Kristen Welker and questioning the network’s leadership for bringing McDaniel on board. Todd emphasized that his concerns were not about ideology, but about McDaniel’s past attacks on NBC News reporters.
The tension surrounding McDaniel’s hiring has been exacerbated by reports that she will be earning $300,000 a year as a contributor, leading to discontent among network staffers. The lack of communication between NBC leadership and the news division has only heightened the backlash.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, MSNBC president Rashida Jones clarified that there are no immediate plans for McDaniel to appear on the network, despite previous announcements. However, sources have revealed that individual shows still have the option to invite McDaniel as a guest if they choose to do so.
The controversy surrounding McDaniel’s hiring highlights the challenges faced by networks in balancing journalistic integrity with political perspectives, and raises questions about the decision-making processes within NBC.
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