President Donald Trump recently targeted MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow on his social media platform, Truth Social, predicting her imminent departure from television due to dwindling ratings. This critical post came after Maddow compared Trump to Fidel Castro during a segment discussing several pardons he issued in relation to the January 6 riots.
The Daily Mail reported that President Trump criticized MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, suggesting her days on-air might be numbered, following her comparison of him to Fidel Castro.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his belief that Rachel Maddow's show would soon be canceled as a result of declining viewership. He stated, "Rachel Maddow has horrible ratings," further forecasting that she would be off the air shortly.
Trump’s critique was part of a broader commentary on media networks, labeling MSNBC as "close to death" and CNN as having "reached the bottom."
Maddow had recently discussed the series of pardons issued by Trump to individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection, notably comparing him to Fidel Castro. During a segment on her show, she remarked, "There are rumors circulating that Trump had wanted to bring his felons... all to the White House too."
Maddow's comments came amidst ongoing discussions around the presence of certain controversial figures at Trump's latest inauguration.
Among them were tech billionaires such as Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Tim Cook. These individuals were noted by Maddow as part of a critical commentary on current political dynamics.
The January 6 insurrection remains a significant topic in U.S. politics. That day saw Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, engaging in seditious conspiracy. Her coverage of Trump's possible plans for January 6 rioters further escalated tensions between her and the former president.
A key aspect of Maddow's critique included a description of Trump's lengthy public speaking engagements. She likened them to "Fidel Castro-esque" speeches, suggesting that many attendees lost interest before the events concluded.
While Maddow faces pointed attacks from Trump, MSNBC struggles with its ratings. Reports indicate a focus on increasing Republican voices to boost viewership.
From the day following the 2024 election, the network's primetime audience averaged just over 600,000 viewers, starkly contrasting Fox News' 3.2 million.
MSNBC's ratings for the week of January 13 showed a slight improvement, with an average of approximately 758,000 viewers in primetime according to Nielsen data. Despite these numbers, there appears to be an ongoing strategy shift within the network to address these viewership concerns.
Internally, Maddow's compensation has reportedly been adjusted, with her pay being cut by $5 million as part of a deal to remain with MSNBC for five further years. Despite this reduction, she agreed to a five-night-per-week schedule during the first 100 days of Trump's new term, marking a heightened presence in contrast to her previous once-a-week hosting arrangement.
Trump's post on Truth Social further highlighted his communication style, often characterized by bold, sweeping declarations.
As he referred to media networks as the "Enemy of the people," he reiterated his stance against what he perceives as biased journalistic practices.
However, his focus on Maddow's ratings forms part of a consistent narrative used to criticize media figures who challenge his policies and public persona. Both conservative and liberal audiences closely watch these exchanges due to their underpinning political tensions.
Looking ahead, Maddow's future with MSNBC in light of Trump’s comments and the shifting media landscape remains under scrutiny. As discussions regarding political pardons continue, media figures like Maddow play influential roles in shaping public discourse, especially amidst an era marked by divisive political rhetoric.
As the media and political spheres grow increasingly intertwined, the public awaits developments that may redefine viewership and the influence of key political commentators.
