NBC execs to discuss Ronna McDaniel's future as network contributor after backlash from hosts, viewers

NBC News executives are expected to meet on Tuesday to decide on former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel’s future with the network, despite McDaniel only appearing once on the network since her hiring as a political news contributor.

Two people familiar with the matter told Variety that the meeting is a bid to quell backlash by NBC News’ editorial staff, with anchors like Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow criticizing the hire.

Variety reported, "There are some people who think NBC News may have to renege on its contributor deal with McDaniel, because the growing internal outcry about her hire means many producers and anchors will be loath to book her on their programs. Others think NBC News could stand by its decision."

Todd told Meet The Press moderator Kristen Welker on Sunday, "You got put into an impossible situation, booking this interview, and then all of a sudden the rug was pulled out from under you, and you find out she’s being paid to show up?"

He added, "It’s unfortunate for this program, but I am glad you did the best that you could." McDaniel had been scheduled to appear for the Sunday interview, weeks before her hiring.

During Maddow’s show on Monday evening, she reportedly delivered a 30-minute monologue on McDaniel, likening her to others who she claimed have attempted to undermine US democracy.

People familiar with the matter said that all of NBC News’ senior executives had signed off on the plan to bring McDaniel on.

Carrie Budoff Brown, who oversees NBC News political coverage, announced in a memo last Friday that McDaniel would be joining the team, stating "It couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team."

She added that McDaniel would provide "an insider’s perspective on national politics and the future of the Republican Party."

#BoycottMeetThePress trended on X on Sunday morning as the outlet’s more liberal viewers said they would refuse to watch the show because of McDaniel.

Former MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann wrote, "The person they hired to sh*t on the (admittedly damaged) reputation of NBC News denied the honesty of the 2020 election and called the company's opinion hosts propagandists. #fireRonna."

It was initially reported that McDanile would appear on both NBC and MSNBC, but NBC News President Rashida Jones clarified that McDaniel will not appear on MSNBC, with MSNBC insiders confirming that the decision was due to the fierce backlash the channel had received following McDaniel’s hiring.