Staff Reports
The aftermath of Donald Trump’s resounding election victory has left left-leaning news networks like MSNBC and CNN grappling with unprecedented viewership declines. MSNBC has plummeted by approximately 52 percent, while CNN is shadowing behind with a staggering 46 percent drop. It seems these networks are suffering from a self-inflicted wound, as they have not seen audience numbers this low for two decades. While the Hollywood Reporter tried to downplay the situation by suggesting these drops are just a routine post-election slump, the stark reality is that Fox News has surged, boasting ratings that surpass the combined viewership of its competitors.
Fox News has been captivating audiences since Trump’s November win, grabbing an astonishing 75 percent of news watch time. In stark contrast, MSNBC and CNN are left floundering, desperately clinging to the past while their viewership seemingly vacates for greener pastures. This reveals a troubling truth for the left-leaning press: they can no longer dictate the national narrative. As consumers shift toward alternative media sources, the mainstream media appears to be in a state of denial, struggling with their diminished relevance.
The analysis from Axios presents a telling glimpse into the current landscape of media consumption. The founders, Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen, created an array of categories meant to describe news consumers. However, it’s hard to overlook the condescending labels assigned to conservative viewers, who are mockingly termed “MAGA Mind-Melders” and “Right-Wing Grandpas.” Meanwhile, liberals are elevated to flattering descriptions like “Liberal Warriors,” showcasing a distinct bias in the categorization of the audience.
In a baffling move, MSNBC decided to highlight this report, as if inviting further scrutiny while their ratings plummet. Hosts of “Morning Joe,” including Joe Scarborough, have shown incredible obliviousness by attempting to associate their struggling show with Axios’ “elite” classification. One would think that a network facing a mass exodus of viewers would tread cautiously in discussions about audience demographics, yet this doesn’t seem to faze the Morning Joe team.
Mika Brzezinski, another mainstay on the show, echoed her usual self-righteousness when discussing conservative viewers. Her elaboration on “Right-wing Grandpas” was both amusing and revealing, offering a caricature of elders who supposedly believe outlandish conspiracy theories about hurricanes. This kind of sweeping generalization serves only to highlight the disconnect between MSNBC personalities and the average American. Ironically, it was her own husband, Joe Scarborough, who previously speculated about Trump imprisoning his political adversaries—a narrative certainly not unfamiliar to viewers of their show.
Amusing Denial and Deflection on Display at MSNBC in the Post-Election Ratings Landslidehttps://t.co/Jipj2eT04U
— RedState (@RedState) December 10, 2024
Despite their constant belittling of conservative viewers, the facts tell a different story. Not only has Fox News managed to attract disillusioned Democrats, but statistics indicate that MSNBC has an older demographic, with a median age of 71, compared to 68 for Fox. The undeniable truth is that MSNBC is alienating its potential audience while the conservative viewership is becoming more diverse and inclusive, further complicating their efforts to regain relevance in an evolving media landscape.
In light of these developments, it’s clear that self-awareness largely eludes the personalities at MSNBC. Their perpetual attempts at narrative control are laughable at best and highlight a deeper crisis within liberal media. The disconnect between their audience and their programming serves only to amuse conservatives as they watch these networks flounder in the wake of their own misguided ideologies.
