Former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel Joins NBC News as Political Analyst Amid Controversy

Ronna McDaniel, who recently resigned as chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, has been appointed as a political analyst at NBC News, a move that has stirred controversy among media critics. McDaniel is set to make her debut on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press‘ this Sunday, contributing to both NBC News and MSNBC. Carrie Budoff Brown, senior vice president of NBC’s political coverage, expressed the significance of having McDaniel as part of the team during this critical time.

Following McDaniel’s departure from the RNC, former President Donald Trump endorsed Michael Whatley and Lara Trump to take over as co-chairs, solidifying Trump’s influence within the GOP. McDaniel will be sharing the stage with Marc Short, Brendan Buck, and others as Republican commentators on NBC’s platforms.

McDaniel’s history of questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election results has sparked backlash against NBC’s decision to bring her on board. Critics have pointed out McDaniel’s involvement in efforts to challenge the election outcome and her past criticisms of the network. Mehdi Hasan, a former MSNBC host, denounced NBC’s choice, citing McDaniel’s actions to undermine the election process.

Victor Pickard, a media policy and political economy professor at the University of Pennsylvania, characterized the move as a “crass commercial decision” that could impact NBC’s editorial choices, especially as they cover election-related topics moving forward. The decision to hire McDaniel has raised concerns among those questioning the network’s neutrality.

In a memo shared by Carrie Budoff Brown, it was emphasized that McDaniel’s perspective as a former RNC leader and her insights on the future of the Republican Party would be valuable during the upcoming election season. McDaniel, a Michigan native, is expected to provide a key viewpoint from a battleground state.

McDaniel’s appointment comes at a time when debates surrounding election integrity and democracy are at the forefront of political discourse in the United States. Her stance on the 2020 election results and her role in challenging them have drawn attention to the potential implications of her new position at NBC.