Joy Reid Exits MSNBC Amid Fiery Backlash from Megyn Kelly

NEW YORK, NY — Joy Reid announced her departure from MSNBC and her program, “The ReidOut,” on Monday, prompting a range of reactions from both supporters and critics in the media.

Reid’s exit, confirmed by MSNBC, is seen as significant amid ongoing discussions surrounding race and media representation. Reid expressed her emotional response during her last appearance, stating, “My show had value. What I was doing had value. I try not to cry on TV, and this is kind of like me on TV, so I apologize.” Her comments came as former CNN anchor Megyn Kelly publicly lambasted Reid on social media shortly after the news broke.

“Good riddance to the absolute worst person on television, and shame on NBC for letting it go on this long,” Kelly tweeted, referencing Reid’s past critical remarks about “white women tears.” Kelly later doubled down on her accusations during her own broadcast, insinuating that Reid’s emotional expression was hypocritical.

“Single tear, White woman tears happening right here, Joy. She was officially fired over the weekend because she’s a racist, horrible news anchor with no ratings,” Kelly stated on her show. Kelly, notorious for her controversial remarks during her tenure in network news, previously faced backlash over comments regarding blackface.

In response to Kelly’s diatribe, CNN anchor Don Lemon voiced his disagreement during a segment, directly addressing Kelly: “In my 30-some years as a journalist and my 50-some years as a person of color: Go f— yourself. Okay?” Lemon’s reaction highlighted a pattern of behavior he believes Kelly has exhibited throughout her career, describing her as a “troll” and noting her history of controversial statements.

Lemon further reflected on Kelly’s problematic past, recalling her defense of blackface during a Halloween segment in 2018. He stated, “No, Megyn Kelly, the worst person on television was fired from NBC and the ‘Today’ show a few years ago, and that’s Megyn Kelly.” His remarks resonated with many, especially considering Reid’s influence as a prominent African American host.

Reid’s exit also drew criticism from her colleagues, including MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. Maddow referenced the broader implications of Reid’s departure, calling it a “bad mistake” and expressing concern for the network letting two diverse hosts go in a matter of weeks, noting Reid and Alex Wagner.

The shifting landscape of television news continues to spark heated conversations about race, representation, and accountability in journalism. As networks reevaluate their choices, the fallout from Reid’s departure and Kelly’s remarks will likely persist in media discussions.