In her final broadcast on The ReidOut, Joy Reid took the opportunity to reflect on America’s history of resistance, urging viewers to stay engaged in the fight for democracy. As her time at MSNBC came to a close, Reid framed the current political landscape as a moment that demanded action and resilience.
“How do you resist when fascism isn’t just coming, it’s already here?” Reid asked. She discussed how crucial it is to draw from history when facing such a crisis, pointing to examples like the Underground Railroad, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Stonewall protests. “The first rule is to fight back, to never stop resisting,” she said.
Throughout her time on the show, Reid tackled numerous political issues. She stood firm in her positions on Black Lives Matter, Asian hate, immigrant rights, and the conflict in Gaza, asserting her right to address these topics without apology. “I’m not sorry,” Reid declared, emphasizing her conviction on matters she believes are grounded in justice. “Those things are of God,” she added.
Reid’s departure from The ReidOut was confirmed by MSNBC on Sunday, alongside other changes to the network’s primetime schedule. Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele will take over the 7 p.m. slot. Jen Psaki will move into the 9 p.m. hour, replacing Rachel Maddow, who will return to a limited schedule.
As the show ended, Reid expressed deep gratitude for her viewers, whom she called “the Reiders,” and praised her off-camera crew for their support. The final moments saw an emotional message of thanks to those who helped make the show a success.
Rachel Maddow, speaking about Reid’s departure, offered a tribute, stating, “There is no colleague for whom I have had more affection and more respect than Joy Reid.” She went on to express concern over the network’s reshuffling, particularly regarding the loss of non-white voices in primetime.
MSNBC’s recent changes have also raised questions about the network’s approach to diversity. While Menendez’s move to primetime will make her the first Latina host in that slot, there has been noticeable concern about the overall diversity of the network’s programming.
