Staff Reports
Rumors are swirling that Rashida Jones, the president of MSNBC, might be preparing to exit stage left as the network’s ratings take a nosedive faster than a lead balloon. With the prospect of covering President-elect Donald Trump looming on the horizon, it seems that some pundits are pinning her potential departure on the inevitable chaos that follows a Trump presidency.
Analysts are weighing in, suggesting that Jones’ tenure may be coming to an end as the network struggles to attract viewers, and of course, one can’t help but notice the timing. John Nolte, a senior writer at Breitbart, argues that Jones has mismanaged the network for years, banking on a defeat for Trump that never came to pass. While her spokesperson has denied any intentions to resign, the whispers from various sources indicate that Ms. Jones may just be looking for the exit door sooner rather than later.
🚨 BREAKING: MSNBC President Rashida Jones is considering whether to leave the network after President Trump is sworn in for a second term.
The network has suffered a MASSIVE decline in ratings in the weeks following the election and is currently gripped by uncertainty as… pic.twitter.com/xtmlDJVWFF
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) December 5, 2024
According to insiders, the probability of a Jones departure increases with each declining viewer metric. As documented by The Wrap, CNN’s Brian Stelter chimed in with his own sources reinforcing the narrative that Jones might be weighing her options post-inauguration. So, while Jones may want to play the “no plans to step down” card, the reality of sinking ratings is painting a different picture entirely.
And what exactly are those ratings saying? Since Donald Trump secured his win last month, MSNBC’s ratings have plummeted more dramatically than a kid on a roller coaster. The network saw its primetime audience drop by more than half—a staggering decrease from an average of 1.34 million viewers to a mere 361,000. Even the once-beloved “Morning Joe” isn’t enjoying its morning coffee lately, suffering a whopping 43% decline in viewership. It’s almost like viewers realized they were better off watching paint dry.
Clearly, Jones’ strategy of hitching her wagon to a doomsday scenario regarding Trump’s presidency has backfired spectacularly. Nolte points out that her type of short-sighted management is akin to betting the farm on a horse that’s known for tripping out of the gate. Instead of appealing to a broader audience, Jones has devoted her energies to pushing away half the country while simultaneously telling the other half that they’re making poor choices. It’s broadcasting 101: misinform the masses and alienate half your potential viewership. With ratings like these, it’s no wonder that stepping down could be the only smart play left on the board for Rashida Jones.
