A social media resurgence of a controversial monologue by Joy Reid, a former MSNBC host, has reignited discussions about the Founding Fathers and their historical legacy.
Reid's comments, which accused these pivotal figures of committing genocide against indigenous populations, have sparked significant debate online.
According to the Daily Caller, Reid's departure from MSNBC in February was part of a broader strategy to revamp the network's programming. This move followed Comcast's decision to spin off several of its channels, including MSNBC, after a dramatic ratings decline exceeding fifty percent post the 2024 election, where Kamala Harris faced defeat. In November, MSNBC underwent a rebranding, emerging as MSNOW.
In her contentious remarks, Reid suggested that the Founding Fathers harbored a sense of "entitlement" and seemed to express sympathy for King George III over the American Revolution. She stated, "So that you know, this nation was founded by killers who slaughtered 90 percent of the indigenous people," further alleging that these figures exploited and then eradicated native populations, seizing their lands. Reid criticized their perceived entitlement, noting their reluctance to pay taxes, which she claimed led to the Revolutionary War.
Reid's tenure at MSNBC was marked by a series of racially charged statements, often targeting conservatives. Notably, on November 5, 2024, she criticized "white women" for their lack of support for Kamala Harris, stating, "In the end, if they didnt make their numbers and essentially exceed the numbers that Joe Biden had in the suburbs, I think we have to be blunt about why. Black voters came through for Kamala Harris, white women voters did not."
Her critiques extended to President Donald Trump, whom she described during a Substack live stream as "the physical embodiment of all of Americas sins." Reid's platform also featured Democratic figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar, who discussed fraudulent activities involving Somalis in Minnesota, and Stacey Abrams, who labeled Vice President J.D. Vance a "DEI graduate."
Despite her provocative style, Reid struggled to attract a substantial audience, with her primetime ratings falling short of her MSNBC peers. On February 19, 2025, she drew 922,000 viewers, trailing behind Chris Hayes and significantly lagging behind Lawrence ODonnell and Rachel Maddow.
The network's decision to part ways with Reid reflects a broader shift in its strategic direction amidst evolving viewer preferences.
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