Once a titan of broadcast journalism, Keith Olbermann has spiraled into a storm of controversy with social media rants that have even his former colleagues questioning his stability.
New York Post reported that Now 66 and hosting an independent podcast, "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," the former MSNBC and ESPN personality has drawn ire for threatening tweets, including a shocking message to CNN commentator Scott Jennings, while his isolation and declining influence paint a troubling picture.
Olbermann's career has been a rollercoaster of high-profile gigs and dramatic exits. He was fired from ESPN in 1997, rehired later, saw his contract lapse in 2015, returned in 2018, and left again in 2020. His stint at MSNBC ended in 2011 after clashes with management, compounded by a 2010 suspension for violating ethics by donating to Democratic candidates.
His behavior off-air has often matched the turbulence of his professional life. Public records show Olbermann lives in New York City, co-owning a childhood home in Westchester with his sister Jenna, and rarely ventures out unless someone can tend to his multiple dogs.
This devotion to his pets, while admirable, has bordered on obsession, with reports of him spending over $1,000 weekly to support abandoned dogs and working with Animal Control Services in NYC to find them homes. Even during his ESPN days, he refused to travel to their Bristol, Connecticut, studios unless dog care was arranged, leading to accommodations near his home.
But it’s his recent online outbursts that have raised the most eyebrows. Olbermann targeted conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings with a threatening post, “you’re next,” following the death of Charlie Kirk, only apologizing after Jennings reposted it and tagged the FBI earlier this week.
Former colleagues aren’t mincing words about this downward turn. “He needs some serious help,” said Sage Steele, a former ESPN anchor, echoing a sentiment of concern rather than mere criticism. One has to wonder if this is less about politics and more about a man struggling under unseen burdens.
Olbermann’s history of controversial remarks adds fuel to the fire. Last year, he called former ESPN anchor Sage Steele “the dumbest person” he’d ever worked with over her comments on interviewing President Biden in 2021, a jab that seems more petty than principled.
He’s also aimed at former champion swimmer Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American, labeling her a “nasty, stupid transphobe” for advocating fairness in women’s sports. Such language doesn’t just debate policy—it seeks to destroy reputations, a tactic that alienates more than it persuades.
Even past relationships haven’t escaped his venom, as seen in his comments about former girlfriend Katy Tur, claiming he significantly boosted her career in broadcast journalism. This kind of public score-settling feels less like commentary and more like a personal vendetta.
His rants against the Trump administration on social media platforms like X continue to stir the pot, but they lack the reach he once commanded on major networks. It’s a stark contrast to the days when his voice shaped national conversations, now reduced to echoes in a digital void.
Reports of past behavior paint a consistent picture of discord. Anonymous accounts recall Olbermann berating staff in public settings, with one claiming he reduced a young woman to tears over a delayed meal. While unverified, these stories align with a reputation for volatility that’s hard to ignore.
Olbermann’s life today seems marked by isolation, tethered to his home and his dogs. His passion for rescuing animals, often shared on X, is a bright spot, yet it’s telling that even this noble cause keeps him from broader engagement with the world.
Former associates lament a talent squandered by temperament. Jean Sage, an agent who represented him for three decades, noted that while immensely gifted, Olbermann “always wanted to burn down the house” wherever he worked. It’s a sad epitaph for a career that once promised so much.
