Megyn Kelly didn't hold back when she reacted to the recent cancellation of Joy Reid's show, The ReidOut, on MSNBC. Following the news over the weekend, Kelly took to social media to mock the former MSNBC correspondent, posting, "Good riddance to the absolute worst person on television," much to the chagrin of Reid's supporters.
The cancellation of Reid's show is part of significant changes the network is undertaking under new management. Over her tenure, Reid has become known for her fierce discussions of political news and events, positioning herself firmly on the progressive side of the political spectrum. Although well-received by many, her commentaries have often sparked controversy.
Kelly's disdain for Reid is not new. The conservative podcaster took the opportunity to remind Reid of past controversies, stating, "Remember when Joy Reid laughingly mocked 'white women tears' as pathetic and offensive to her? Who's crying now, Joy?" Her remarks refer to incidents where Reid derided emotional responses from white women during politically charged situations, including the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse. During the trial, Reid faced backlash for using the term 'white tears' to describe emotional displays from white men during serious discussions about race and justice.
Reid was noted for her opinion about Black female voters versus white women voters during the 2020 election, remarking, "Black voters came through for Kamala Harris. White women voters did not." This comment has been cited as another reason for her controversial standing among certain viewers, especially those who argue it deepens racial divides.
Donald Trump, who has had his own history of clashes with both Reid and MSNBC, also weighed in on the cancellation. On Truth Social, he called Reid "a mentally obnoxious racist" and claimed, "Based on her ratings, which were virtually non-existent, she should have been 'canned' long ago, along with everyone else who works there." Trump's comments serve as both criticism of Reid and the network itself, which has been labeled "fake news" by the former president.
While Reid's final show is reportedly scheduled for sometime this week, the impact of these cancellations will likely extend beyond her time at the network. Kelly's commentary and Trump's critiques resonate with segments of the audience who have long been dissatisfied with Reid's perspective and the narratives pushed by MSNBC.
Kelly's remarks fit seamlessly within her broader critique of progressive media figures. She has built her platform on challenging what she sees as 'politically correct' narratives, often advocating for more balanced discussions. Reid, on the other hand, has positioned her work as defending marginalized voices, which many on the right perceive as divisive.
Both Kelly and Trump exemplify the polarized nature of today's media environment—where figures like Reid signify the progressive viewpoint, and responses from conservatives often label those opinions as detrimental to national discourse.
Kelly concluded her criticisms with words indicating her belief on Reid's corrosive role on television, undoubtedly pleased with the cancellation outcome. The future of MSNBC's lineup remains uncertain, and as paths diverge, the responses from networks and their anchors will likely continue to provoke intense discussion across the media spectrum, shaping public perception on what constitutes responsible journalism.
With Joyce Reid's departure, MSNBC has opened the floor to new voices—a step some see as necessary for the network's evolution, especially as they aim to remain appealing to diverse viewerships. Yet as Kelly and Trump celebrate, observers will be watching closely to see what changes lie ahead for the network and the now-vacant space Reid once occupied.