In a striking denunciation, President Donald Trump voiced his discontent with MSNBC hosts Nicolle Wallace and Rachel Maddow during a media session in the Oval Office.
According to The Hill, in recent comments, Trump asserted that both Wallace and Maddow should resign due to their controversial remarks and declining show ratings.
President Trump’s criticism followed a notable event last Tuesday where he honored 13-year-old cancer survivor DJ Daniels with an honorary Secret Service badge during a joint session. This act set the backdrop for his remarks.
Wallace's controversial comments involved the young DJ Daniels, suggesting a dark scenario where he might have to defend the U.S. Capitol against Trump supporters, referencing a tragic event connected with the Capitol.
She specifically said, “I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters, and if he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide."
President Trump expressed deep disapproval of Wallace, highlighting the sensitivity around the cited incidents. “They have lost such credibility; and, frankly, what Nicolle Wallace said — I’ve never been a fan of hers, and she’s not very talented — but I’ll tell you, what she said the other day about that young man is disgraceful. She should be forced to resign," Trump remarked.
Moreover, Trump did not spare Rachel Maddow in his critique. He questioned both her salary and the credibility of her broadcasts on MSNBC, aligning her with Wallace in terms of lacking public and professional esteem.
“And Rachel Maddow should be forced to resign. Nobody watches her anyway. I don’t know if — it’s not possible they pay her as much money as I hear — but certainly she’s lost all credibility,” Trump added.
Amid these controversies, MSNBC itself has been undergoing significant leadership shifts. Following the resignation of former president Rashida Jones in January, Rebecca Kutler stepped in as the interim president.
This change came at a time when MSNBC was also revising its programming lineup. Under Kutler’s direction, the network cancelled several shows, such as “The ReidOut” and “Alex Wagner Tonight,” which hinted at broader strategic shifts possibly in response to audience metrics.
Such changes seem to corroborate Trump's critique of declining viewer interest and may reflect the challenges MSNBC faces in maintaining audience engagement.
Following Trump's statements, a media organization, The Hill reached out to MSNBC for comments on the matter. As of now, MSNBC has not responded publicly to the allegations or the comments made by Trump regarding their hosts and programming strategies.
With the network's reaction pending, the stage is set for what could be a significant media industry confrontation depending on the unfolding interactions between the former president and the news network.
Public and media reactions to these developments are likely to shape the narrative in the coming days as discussions about media credibility and the responsibilities of news personalities continue to intensify. As the situation develops, the scrutiny of news outlets and their alignment with public figures promises to remain a focal point of national discourse.