MSNBC President Rashida Jones considering exit from network after Trump sworn in: report

MSNBC President Rashida Jones considering exit from network after Trump sworn in: report

MSNBC President Rashida Jones is considering leaving the network after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term in the White House, according to a report, as the left-leaning network’s ratings plummet.

Jones — who took the helm in 2021 and became the first Black woman to lead a major national news network — is considering stepping down early next year, according to a report from Oliver Darcy in his Status newsletter.

The move would come only after Trump is sworn in for his second term as president on January 20, Darcy reported, citing anonymous sources.

MSNBC's Rashida Jones is considering leaving the network early next year, according to a report. GCD/Shutterstock

MSNBC’s Rashida Jones is considering leaving the network early next year, according to a report. GCD/Shutterstock

A decision has not yet been made and it is possible that nothing will come of it, Darcy wrote.

According to the Status newsletter, a spokesperson for Jones denied the report.

NBC declined to comment.

CNN’s Brian Stelter confirmed the report using his own sources.

“It’s amazing how many people want to spend more time with their families or seek new challenges when ratings drop,” said one TV executive sarcastically, skeptical that Jones would leave the helm of his own free will.

“Of course she makes the decision,” the TV executive added. “They all go alone, Norah O’Donnell, Chris Wallace.”

According to Puck News, CNN anchor Chris Wallace was reportedly told his two low-rated shows would be canceled and his massive salary cut before he announced he was leaving the network in November.

According to a newsletter, Jones' departure would not occur until after Trump is sworn in. Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media

According to a newsletter, Jones’ departure would not occur until after Trump is sworn in. Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media

And Norah O’Donnell announced in July that she would be leaving her CBS anchor chair – after her salary was cut and the network’s ratings continued to decline in recent years.

However, a network source denied speculation that Jones would be forced out.

“Anyone who believes Rashida’s potential decision to leave is influenced by anyone other than herself is clearly underestimating the respect she commands within 30 Rock,” a network source said.

MSNBC’s ratings have been in free fall since Trump won the White House in November.

Since Election Day, MSNBC averaged 497,000 daily viewers — a 47% decline, according to Nielsen data. According to Nielsen, the network had a meager 49,000 viewers in the advertising-coveted 25-54 age group.

The network’s “Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski also faced backlash from loyal viewers after meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago – after years of criticizing him.

MSNBC's ratings have fallen since Donald Trump won the election in November. REUTERS

MSNBC’s ratings have fallen since Donald Trump won the election in November. REUTERS

It’s not the first time fed-up viewers have deserted the left-leaning cable news channel. MSNBC’s ratings plummeted after Trump won the White House in 2016 and again after President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance in the debate against Trump in June, although those declines were not nearly as steep.

A network source said linking the ratings decline to Rashida’s possible departure ignores her track record as president.

Before the ratings collapse after the election, Jones had been driving the station’s ratings up for several years. MSNBC’s election night coverage surpassed CNN’s ratings for the first time ever this year. Fox News’ election night ratings ranked first for the second year in a row.

MSNBC has also hosted some successful live events under Jones’ leadership, such as the sold-out BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, which featured a full day of programming featuring the network’s star talent this fall.

Aside from Jones’ possible exit, the network faces an already uncertain future as NBC’s parent company considers whether to sell its troubled divisions – including MSNBC.

Comcast announced in October that it was considering spinning off MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, E!, Syfy, USA Network and Oxygen True Crime into a “new, well-capitalized company owned by our shareholders,” President Mike Cavanagh said.

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