As MSNBC’s ratings continue to dip, the network’s future is under increased scrutiny, especially with the recent speculation that Elon Musk might be considering purchasing the company.

The conversation, which started as a half-joking remark between Musk and Donald Trump Jr., has gained traction amid reports that Comcast is looking to split off MSNBC and other properties into a separate entity, possibly as a prelude to a sale.

How much does it cost?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2024

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This potential shift is raising concerns among the network’s on-air talent, who may be facing significant changes to their futures.

MSNBC has long been known for its liberal commentary, but the ongoing decline in viewership has put pressure on the network’s management.

The notion of Musk, a tech billionaire and outspoken critic of the media establishment, taking control of MSNBC has some of its high-profile personalities worried.

The thought of Musk controlling their careers and potentially reshaping the network into something far different from its current state is causing anxiety within the network.

One such personality whose future at MSNBC could be at risk is Joy Reid.

 

Reid, who has built her brand as one of the network’s most outspoken hosts, has been in the spotlight recently due to her controversial comments about Donald Trump and his supporters.

In particular, Reid’s remarks have sparked backlash for their dramatic tone and alarming predictions about the political future of the United States.

Reid, during a recent rant, delivered an intense message to Trump supporters, suggesting that their votes for Trump could have long-term social consequences.

She told her audience that if family and friends refuse to spend Thanksgiving with them because of their support for Trump, it was a sign of “legitimate feelings of fear” and that Trump’s policies could lead the country down a dangerous path toward autocracy. “People are rightfully alarmed. They have reason to be alarmed,” Reid said, continuing, “This is legitimate feelings of fear, of you, and of feeling that you might not be someone they could trust.”

Reid went on to discuss the potential consequences of voting for Trump, warning that it could lead to a scenario where people are forced to “turn people in and point people out.”

She also implied that if Trump supporters expected to maintain relationships with people who disagree with them, they were “missing the point” of why others are upset.

Her comments drew immediate criticism, with many questioning the accuracy and fairness of her portrayal of Trump supporters as being aligned with autocracy.

“Autocracies go south real fast and things get ugly,” Reid claimed. “If you’re voting affirmatively, gleefully for this, people might— I don’t know, may not feel so confident in you anymore.”

MSNBC host Joy Reid: Stay away from pro Trump family members since they ENDED democracy, may turn you in pic.twitter.com/3v1UGKeSdT

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 22, 2024

The rhetoric used by Reid did not sit well with many viewers, especially when she painted Trump supporters with such broad strokes.

The suggestion that voting for a candidate like Trump equates to supporting fascism or autocracy struck many as an over-the-top reaction.

Critics were quick to point out the irony, noting that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was largely Democrats, including figures like Reid, who pushed for stringent mandates and punitive measures against those who did not comply, such as reporting neighbors for not following mask or vaccination guidelines.

Despite Reid’s claims, Trump supporters have consistently advocated for freedom and government accountability, rather than promoting any form of autocratic rule.

In fact, it is often those on the left who have pushed for government overreach during the pandemic and beyond.

Many pointed out the contradiction in Reid’s comments, suggesting that it is her own side that has shown tendencies toward authoritarianism.

Further fueling the frustration is the fact that Reid’s target audience—the very Trump supporters she criticizes—likely has little reason to take advice from her.

Given the long-standing divide between MSNBC’s viewership and conservative voters, it is unclear why Reid believes her message would resonate with those she describes as “a threat to democracy.”

Reid’s remarks are yet another example of the divisive language that has come to characterize much of MSNBC’s programming.

With the network already struggling with declining ratings, these controversial comments have only intensified criticism of the network’s content.

As MSNBC continues to face challenges in holding viewers’ attention, the speculation about its potential sale to Musk adds another layer of uncertainty to the network’s future.

With high-profile personalities like Joy Reid and others continuing to alienate a large portion of the American public, it’s no wonder MSNBC’s ratings have fallen so drastically.

Whether the network will be able to recover or whether a sale to someone like Musk will bring about significant changes remains to be seen.

One thing is clear: the current trajectory at MSNBC is not winning over viewers.