A heated exchange between Donald Trump and MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow escalates their ongoing public feud amid network changes.
According to Daily Mail, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Maddow's ratings and predicted her imminent departure from television, following her comparison of him to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
The confrontation began after Maddow's Wednesday broadcast, where she discussed Trump's recent January 6 pardons and specifically addressed the case of Stewart Rhodes, the freed founder of the Oath Keepers who was convicted of seditious conspiracy. Her comments about Trump's rally speeches sparked an immediate response from the former president.
Trump posted his response on Truth Social, where he not only targeted Maddow but also criticized both MSNBC and CNN. In his post, he wrote:
Wow! Rachel Maddow has horrible ratings. She'll be off the air very soon. MSNBC IS CLOSE TO DEATH. CNN HAS REACHED THE BOTTOM. This is a good thing. They are the Enemy of the people!
The timing of Trump's criticism coincides with MSNBC's recent organizational changes and declining viewership numbers. According to Nielsen data, the network's primetime lineup averaged approximately 758,000 viewers for the week of January 13, significantly behind Fox News's 3.2 million viewers.
MSNBC has been experiencing significant internal shifts, including the recent resignation of former president Rashida Jones. The network's leadership has begun implementing changes to address declining viewership numbers and competitive pressures.
Maddow, who had previously reduced her hosting schedule to once weekly, has agreed to return to a five-night hosting schedule during the first 100 days of Trump's presidency. This decision comes as part of broader efforts to boost ratings and retain viewers.
Recent developments indicate that MSNBC's new management is seeking to diversify its political coverage by incorporating more Republican voices into its programming. This strategic shift follows a reported reduction in Maddow's compensation, with her salary allegedly being cut by approximately $5 million.
The conflict between Trump and Maddow reflects broader changes in the media landscape, particularly in political coverage. Maddow's recent coverage of Trump's actions, including his January 6 pardons and inauguration attendees, has intensified the antagonism.
During her broadcast, Maddow expressed concerns about Trump's decisions regarding pardoned individuals and their potential White House appearances. She particularly focused on those convicted for violent actions during the January 6 riot, which resulted in injuries to over 100 police officers.
The mounting tensions have coincided with significant changes in viewership patterns across major news networks. Since the day following the 2024 election, MSNBC has struggled to maintain its audience, averaging approximately 603,000 total viewers in primetime compared to Fox News's dominant position.
The ongoing dispute between Trump and Maddow highlights the complex relationship between political figures and media personalities in today's news environment. Trump's criticism of Maddow comes at a crucial time for MSNBC as the network implements significant changes to its programming and business strategy.
With Maddow's return to a full-time hosting schedule and management's push for more diverse political voices, these developments signal major shifts in the cable news landscape while viewership numbers continue to play a crucial role in shaping the network's future direction.
