MSNBC hosts criticize NBC News for hiring Ronna McDaniel

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow opened her show Monday by urging NBC News to cut ties with Ronna McDaniel, the former Republican National Committee chairwoman whom the network hired as a paid political analyst.

“The fact that Ms. McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News, to me that is inexplicable,” Maddow said. “And I hope they will reverse their decision.”

Her remarks about NBC News were among the most pointed Monday by a lineup of MSNBC hosts who panned the decision to contract with McDaniel. Several hosts devoted segments that questioned McDaniel’s credibility.

MSNBC and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal News Group.

Maddow took exception with McDaniel’s staunch support of former President Donald Trump even as he refused to accept the results of the 2020 election. The former RNC chair has been accused of joining Trump to pressure Michigan election officials not to certify the 2020 presidential election there.

Maddow also said a free press must be uncowed. “We do not take it personally when we get attacked, when they say they want to put us on trial and execute us for treason,” she said.

“And so I want to associate myself with all my colleagues at MSNBC and NBC News who have voiced loud and principled objections to our company for putting on the payroll someone who hasn’t just attacked us as journalists, but someone who is part of an ongoing project to get rid of our system of government,” she said of McDaniel. “Someone who is still trying to convince Americans that this election stuff doesn’t really work. That this last election wasn’t a real result. That American elections are fraudulent.“

McDaniel did not comment publicly on Monday.