MSNBC host Joy Reid had a fiery on-air meltdown about Thanksgiving, directly addressing Trump supporters in a rant that has quickly gone viral. In a one-minute clip from her ten-minute tirade, Reid lambasted “Capitol storming MAGA” voters and dismissed any expectation of reconciliation or acknowledgment from her side.
“Make your own sandwiches, wipe your own tears, troll amongst yourselves with Elon, and leave us alone,” Reid said, delivering sharp words to Trump supporters. She accused them of idolising Trump, stating, “You got your heart’s desire. The president you dreamed of and worshiped instead of Jesus. And this time, you didn’t even have to storm the Capitol, smash windows, or threaten to k*ll police officers.”
She went on to mock any expectations of goodwill from Democrats, saying, “If you expect the 73 million who voted for the prosecutor, not the felon, and particularly the 92% of Black women who voted for Kamala to give you a cookie, a trophy, a hug, or a high five, you might be asking too much.” Reid concluded by urging Trump supporters to respect the boundaries of those who wish to avoid political debates during the holidays, saying, “Get over it. Stop acting like we owe you.”
Trump’s holiday message
In a characteristically bold holiday message, former President Donald Trump extended Thanksgiving greetings to Americans while taking the opportunity to highlight his political resurgence. Posting to his platform, Trump wished a “Happy Thanksgiving to all,” including what he referred to as the “Radical Left Lunatics,” whom he claimed had unsuccessfully attempted to undermine the nation.
Trump’s message struck a defiant tone, emphasizing his belief in the failure of his political opponents’ policies, which he described as “hopelessly bad.” He celebrated what he called a “landslide victory” for those aligned with his “Make America Great Again” movement, attributing the outcome to the enduring values of the American people. Though he didn’t specify the context of the victory, the remarks come amid a period of heightened political activity as he continues to position himself as a central figure in the Republican Party.
“Don’t worry,” Trump wrote, reassuring supporters of his vision for America. “Our Country will soon be respected, productive, fair, and strong, and you will be, more than ever before, proud to be an American!”
America’s MSM problem
The rant reflects ongoing tensions in the post-Trump era, where divisions between political factions remain stark. Amid this backdrop, public figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan have continued to provoke media outrage. Musk recently joked about buying MSNBC, with Joe Rogan offering to parody Rachel Maddow if the deal went through. Such remarks have fueled criticism from media personalities, including Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei, who publicly lashed out at Musk for his comment, “You are the media.”
Even The View joined the fray, with Joy Behar bizarrely labeling Rogan a “dragon believer.” The remark was widely dismissed by Rogan’s audience as baseless, further illustrating the disconnect between mainstream media’s portrayal of public figures and public perception.
This growing divide underscores a broader crisis of trust in American media. For the first time in history, polls show that Americans trust the media less than they trust Congress, a stunning reversal for an institution meant to hold power to account. Jeff Bezos’s refusal to let The Washington Post endorse a presidential candidate reflected this sentiment, as he remarked, “Reality is undefeated.”
The disconnect between media narratives and the experiences of everyday Americans has become glaring. During the 2024 election, outlets insisted that President Biden was mentally sharp, despite clear signs of cognitive struggles in debates with Trump. These distortions, paired with an obvious anti-Trump agenda, have further eroded public confidence in journalism.
At its core, journalism should aim to report the truth, even when it conflicts with personal biases or political agendas. While neutrality may be an impossible ideal, the media’s refusal to introspect on its failures alienates millions of Americans. Without this reckoning, the gap between the press and the public will only grow wider.
Joy Reid Controversies
Joy Reid, a television host, has been at the center of several controversies related to her past blog posts and on-air remarks. Her earlier writings have frequently drawn criticism for their offensive nature and the impact of her statements.
One controversy revolved around old blog posts that contained homophobic content. Written between 2007 and 2009, the posts mocked public figures using gay stereotypes and criticized same-sex marriage. When the posts resurfaced years later, Reid apologized, calling them insensitive and thoughtless. However, as more such posts came to light, she claimed that she had not written some of them and suggested that her blog had been hacked. Investigations found no evidence to support this claim, which led to public skepticism. The fallout included backlash from advocacy groups and a suspension from a media outlet she contributed to, prompting Reid to deliver a formal apology on her show.
Another wave of criticism stemmed from older blog posts that contained anti-Semitic and conspiratorial ideas. Reid’s posts promoted theories about government involvement in the 9/11 attacks and included remarks about Jewish culture and politics that were perceived as prejudiced. One blog entry featured an altered image of a politician in a context considered highly offensive. Reid again apologized, acknowledging the posts’ harmful content and disavowing them as not reflective of her current views. Despite the criticism, her network expressed continued support for her, citing her growth and contributions to her work since those posts.
Reid also faced backlash over remarks made during her live broadcasts. In one instance, she compared political rhetoric in the U.S. to language used by leaders in other parts of the world that allegedly incite violence, which drew accusations of bias and insensitivity toward certain communities. Critics and advocacy groups demanded an apology, though Reid did not issue a direct response to the criticisms.
