Rashida Jones, who made history as the first black woman to lead a major national news network when she became president of MSNBC in 2021, is reportedly considering stepping down early next year. This news comes in the wake of a significant ratings drop for the network following Donald Trump’s re-election in November, according to a report by Oliver Darcy in his Status newsletter.
The decision, which would reportedly take effect sometime after Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, has stirred speculation within the industry. Sources cited by Darcy remain anonymous, but the narrative suggests that Jones’ potential departure is linked to the dramatic decline in viewership since the election.
A spokesperson for Jones has refuted these claims, as noted by the Status newsletter, and NBC has declined to comment on the matter. However, CNN’s Brian Stelter confirmed the report based on his own sources, adding weight to the speculation.
An unnamed television executive commented skeptically on the timing of Jones’ potential exit, suggesting that the decision might be influenced by the network’s struggling ratings. “It’s amazing how people want to spend more time with their families or look for new challenges when the ratings crash,” the exec remarked, hinting that the decision might not be entirely voluntary.
This sentiment was echoed by comparisons to other high-profile departures in the industry, like those of CNN’s Chris Wallace and CBS’s Norah O’Donnell, who left their positions amid declining ratings and salary adjustments.
Despite the rumors, an MSNBC network source defended Jones, emphasizing her autonomy in decision-making. “Anyone who believes that Rashida’s potential decision to leave is influenced by anyone other than herself clearly underestimates the respect she has inside 30 Rock,” the source stated.
MSNBC has faced a substantial audience decline since Trump’s victory, with total-day viewership down by 47% to an average of 497,000 viewers, and only 49,000 in the pivotal 25-54 demographic, according to Nielsen data. This drop follows a pattern observed after Trump’s first election in 2016 and after significant political events like the Biden-Trump debate in June.
Jones, however, has had a notable tenure at MSNBC. Before this downturn, she led the network to several historic firsts and record viewership, including outperforming CNN in election night coverage this year, though Fox News led overall.
The potential exit of Jones could mark a significant shift for MSNBC, a network known for its liberal perspective, as it navigates through political and viewer changes in the Trump era once again.