Megyn Kelly Unloads on MSNBC's Hypocritical Massive On-Air Meltdown Over Hiring of Ronna McDaniel

Megyn Kelly
26 Mar 202412:21

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses the controversy surrounding NBC's hiring of Ronna McDaniel, a conservative figure and former head of the RNC, as a news contributor. It highlights the backlash from MSNBC anchors and journalists who object to her hiring due to her alleged involvement in election denial and perceived threats to democracy. The narrative emphasizes the importance of journalistic integrity and the dangers of misinformation, while also touching on broader political concerns about the state of American democracy and the role of media in upholding it.

Takeaways

  • 📢 NBC News faces internal backlash for hiring Ronna McDaniel, the former head of the RNC, as a contributor.
  • 💭 Some MSNBC anchors express strong objections to the hiring, accusing McDaniel of attacking the integrity of US elections and democracy.
  • 🤔 The controversy raises questions about the role of media in promoting or challenging election deniers and the sanctity of 'sacred airwaves'.
  • 🌟 MSNBC emphasizes its commitment to honesty and good faith in the hiring process, distancing itself from perceived dishonesty in political communication.
  • 🚨 There's a call for media and political figures to stand up for the American system of government and democracy in the face of perceived threats.
  • 📉 Public trust in the US Supreme Court is reportedly in decline, with concerns about access to fair elections for citizens.
  • 📚 Author Stacy Abrams' new novel 'Rogue Justice' and its relevance to current political issues is highlighted.
  • 🏛️ Discussions about the role of the Supreme Court and the potential consequences for those who undermine democracy are prevalent.
  • 🤨 MSNBC addresses criticisms about the consistency of its hiring practices, particularly in relation to political figures and spokespersons.
  • 🌊 There's a critique of certain political and media figures for their dramatic presentations and what is perceived as insincere displays of emotion.
  • 💸 The script ends with a commercial for a debt relief service, illustrating the contrast between political and media discourse with everyday financial concerns.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue being discussed in the transcript?

    -The main issue discussed is the controversy surrounding the hiring of Ronna McDaniel, former head of the RNC, as a contributor for NBC News, and the objections raised by MSNBC and other journalists.

  • Who is Ronna McDaniel and what is her role in this situation?

    -Ronna McDaniel is the former head of the Republican National Committee (RNC) who was hired as a contributor by NBC News, which led to objections from some MSNBC anchors and journalists due to her alleged involvement in election denialism.

  • What is the concern of the MSNBC anchors about Ronna McDaniel's hiring?

    -The MSNBC anchors are concerned that by hiring Ronna McDaniel, NBC News is indirectly supporting election deniers and giving them a platform to spread misinformation about the integrity of the U.S. elections.

  • What is the argument made by those who object to McDaniel's hiring?

    -The objectors argue that McDaniel's hiring is problematic because she has allegedly backed an illegal scheme to steal an election in Michigan and has contributed to the spread of lies that undermine democracy.

  • How does the transcript suggest MSNBC views the handling of election deniers?

    -The transcript suggests that MSNBC believes that election deniers should not be given a platform on their airwaves, and that NBC News's hiring of McDaniel sends a dangerous message about the network's stance on this issue.

  • What is the significance of the term 'sacred airwaves' in the context of this discussion?

    -The term 'sacred airwaves' is used to emphasize the importance and credibility of the public airwaves, suggesting that allowing election deniers to use these airwaves is a violation of their sanctity and trustworthiness.

  • What is the role of the media in the current political climate according to the transcript?

    -According to the transcript, the media has a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the democratic system by ensuring honesty and good faith in their reporting, especially in relation to elections and political figures.

  • What is the stance of MSNBC on the handling of misinformation?

    -MSNBC is strongly against the spread of misinformation, particularly when it comes to elections and public health issues like the COVID-19 vaccine. They believe that those spreading misinformation should be held accountable.

  • What is the transcript's view on the current state of the Republican Party?

    -The transcript suggests that the Republican Party is being criticized for supporting claims of a fraudulent election and for potentially undermining the democratic system, with some comparing the situation to a 'long con' that could threaten the country's governance.

  • How does the transcript address the role of public figures and politicians in the current political climate?

    -The transcript emphasizes that public figures and politicians, including those in Congress and the judiciary, have a responsibility to stand up for the democratic system and to resist threats and violence against it.

  • What is the overall tone of the transcript?

    -The overall tone of the transcript is critical and alarmed, expressing concern about the potential erosion of democratic norms and the need for media integrity in the face of misinformation and election denialism.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Media Reaction to New Hire

This paragraph discusses the controversy surrounding the hiring of Rona McDaniel by NBC News. It highlights the strong objections from MSNBC anchors and journalists who are concerned about McDaniel's past actions and alleged election denial. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of journalistic integrity and the potential danger to democracy when media organizations employ individuals with controversial political backgrounds.

05:02

📚 Political Commentary and Upcoming Novel

The second paragraph shifts focus to a discussion about politics and the impact of certain political figures on the democratic process. It mentions the upcoming novel by Stacy Abrams and touches on the topic of the US Supreme Court's public trust. The paragraph also addresses the issue of misinformation, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of the media in spreading or combating it.

10:05

💸 Debt Solutions and Financial Advice

This paragraph transitions from political commentary to a discussion on financial issues, specifically debt. It introduces a service that aims to help individuals manage and eliminate their debt. The paragraph outlines the challenges of debt, such as high-interest rates and inflation, and promotes a website that offers strategies and professional assistance to those struggling with financial burdens.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡NBC

National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American television network, and one of the traditional 'Big Three' television networks. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a network facing criticism for hiring a conservative contributor, Ronna McDaniel, who is accused of being an election denier.

💡Ronna McDaniel

Ronna McDaniel is the former head of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and a newly minted NBC News contributor. She is a central figure in the video's narrative, as her hiring by NBC has sparked controversy and accusations of her being an election denier.

💡Election Deniers

Election deniers are individuals who refuse to accept the results of an election, often claiming that the election was stolen or fraudulent without substantial evidence. In the video, this term is used to criticize those who challenge the legitimacy of democratic processes, particularly in reference to the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

💡MSNBC

MSNBC is an American news cable and satellite television network that provides news coverage and political commentary from a liberal perspective. In the video, MSNBC is portrayed as a network opposing the hiring of Ronna McDaniel due to her alleged election denial stance.

💡Journalism Integrity

Journalism integrity refers to the ethical principles and professional standards that journalists are expected to uphold, including accuracy, fairness, and truthfulness in reporting. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining these standards, especially when it comes to covering elections and political figures.

💡Political Polarization

Political polarization refers to the division within a political system into opposing parties or groups with extreme differences in their views and values. The video showcases this by illustrating the intense reactions and disagreements between different political affiliations, particularly in the context of media representation and election coverage.

💡Media Bias

Media bias occurs when media outlets present news stories and information in a way that favors a particular perspective or political ideology. The video implies that certain networks, like MSNBC, may exhibit bias in their coverage and hiring practices, as seen in the criticism of Ronna McDaniel's hiring.

💡Public Trust

Public trust refers to the confidence and faith that the public has in institutions, including the media and government. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining public trust, especially in the context of democratic processes like elections. It suggests that actions by media outlets and political figures can either strengthen or undermine this trust.

💡Democracy

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. The video underscores the importance of protecting democracy, especially through the fair conduct and reporting of elections. It implies that certain actions, such as hiring known election deniers, can be seen as threats to democracy.

💡Misinformation

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread intentionally or unintentionally. In the context of the video, misinformation is a significant concern, particularly in relation to the spread of false claims about elections and public health issues like vaccinations.

💡Political Commentary

Political commentary involves the analysis and interpretation of political events, actions, and statements. It often includes expressing opinions and offering critiques on political matters. In the video, political commentary is a key element, as it discusses the hiring practices of media outlets and the implications for democratic processes and public trust.

Highlights

NBC hires conservative contributor Rona McDaniel, facing internal backlash.

MSNBC anchors express strong objections against McDaniel's hiring due to her alleged election denial stance.

NBC News is accused of indirectly supporting election deniers by hiring McDaniel.

Anchors assert that McDaniel's hiring could be teaching election deniers that they can spread misinformation on mainstream media platforms.

The issue of election deniers being hired by media outlets is framed as a threat to democracy.

The public's trust in the US Supreme Court is mentioned as being in rapid decline.

Stacy Abrams' new novel is introduced, with a focus on election access issues in Georgia.

Hillary Clinton's thoughts on the judicial system and its handling of potential convictions are discussed.

Jen Psaki's transition from government to media is defended, contrasting with McDaniel's situation.

Psaki's past statements and their implications on trustworthiness are scrutinized.

The economic and social challenges faced by the average American are highlighted.

A debt elimination strategy is advertised, emphasizing its potential impact on viewers' financial well-being.

The dramatic presentation style of certain news anchors is critiqued.

The American dream is contrasted with the current economic hardships faced by many.

A call to action for women to remind society of their value and presence is made.

The narrative of a long con by the Republican Party is discussed, linking it to claims of a fraudulent election.

Rachel Maddow's emotional response to the state of America and the challenges faced by various institutions is described.

The importance of standing up for the American system of government is emphasized for Republican politicians and Congress.

Judges and prosecutors are urged to stand up against threats and violence in the face of challenging times.

Transcripts

00:00

in the news this morning NBC takes one

00:03

of its new conservative hires and tries

00:05

to ruin her with an internal pylon from

00:08

sanctimonious anchors trying to act like

00:11

they are deeply offended by her all

00:14

while hoping no one digs too deeply into

00:17

their own terrible pasts

00:20

trigger ra McDaniel the former head of

00:23

the RNC and a newly minted NBC News

00:26

contributor is probably going to get

00:28

fired today less than one week after she

00:31

was hired by the network why because the

00:35

children over at Dems snbc are very very

00:39

mad and I mean really mad I want to

00:43

associate myself with all my colleagues

00:45

both at MSNBC and at NBC News who who

00:47

who have voiced loud and principled

00:50

objections to our company putting on the

00:53

payroll someone who hasn't just attacked

00:55

us as

00:57

journalists um but someone who is part

00:59

of an on going project to get rid of our

01:01

system of government in this instance

01:03

NBC News either wittingly or unwittingly

01:05

is teaching election deniers that what

01:08

they can do stretches well beyond

01:11

appearing on our air in interviews to

01:13

Pedal lies about the sanctity and

01:15

integrity of our elections we weren't

01:17

asked our opinion of the hiring but if

01:19

we were we would have strongly objected

01:21

to it my colleague Chuck Todd went full

01:24

William makoy is she speaking for

01:26

herself or is she speaking on behalf of

01:28

who's paying her when NBC made the

01:30

decision to give her NBC news's

01:32

credibility you got to ask yourself what

01:34

does she bring NBC News not about that

01:37

we we welcome Republican voice I wish

01:39

more Republicans I want Adam kiner and

01:41

Liz Cheney to get right here to come

01:42

talk to me the reality is this isn't a

01:45

difference of opinion she literally

01:48

backed an illegal scheme to steal an

01:51

election in the state of Michigan and

01:53

our democracy is in danger because of

01:55

the lies that people like Ron McDaniel

01:57

have pushed on this country also said to

01:59

ction deniers is not just they can do

02:01

that on our Airwaves but that they can

02:03

do that as one of us as badge carrying

02:06

employees of NBC news as paid

02:09

contributors to our sacred Airwaves take

02:12

a minute oh acknowledge that maybe it

02:15

wasn't the right call it is a sign of

02:17

strength not weakness to acknowledge

02:20

when you were wrong it is a sign of

02:24

strength and our country needs us to be

02:26

strong right now oh my God again

02:31

okay so just to be clear Ron McDaniel

02:33

has done not done one thing in the past

02:35

week to bring this on no new information

02:38

has been imparted to the NBC brass other

02:41

than its anchors professed horror horror

02:45

at the notion of working with an

02:48

election denier a little bit more here

02:51

from Nicole Wallace NBC News either

02:53

wittingly or unwittingly is teaching

02:56

election deniers that what they can do

02:59

stretches well well beyond appearing on

03:01

our air in interviews to Pedal lies

03:03

about the sanctity and integrity of our

03:05

elections we've also said election

03:07

deniers is not just they can do that on

03:09

our Airwaves but that they can do that

03:11

as one of us as badge carrying employees

03:14

of NBC news as paid contributors to our

03:18

sacred

03:20

Airwaves our sacred

03:23

Airwaves they must be protected you see

03:26

from Liars after all over at msnb see

03:30

they are in the business of honesty now

03:34

we know that the vaccines work well

03:36

enough that the virus stops with every

03:39

vaccinated person literally the only

03:41

people ding are the unvaccinated and for

03:43

those of you spreading misinformation

03:45

shame on you shame on you think about it

03:48

I don't know how some of you sleep at

03:50

Republican voters don't vote that way

03:51

they don't vote based on economics

03:53

they're voting on Race Russian Russian

03:55

Russian Russia Russian Russian Russian

03:57

Russian Russian Moscow Russian Russian

03:58

Russia Putin Russian he is actually

04:00

being prosecuted at the state level and

04:02

at the federal level for fomenting an

04:05

actual Insurrection that caused a lot of

04:07

blood that actually caused the deaths of

04:10

at least five people the report of

04:12

special counsel Robert meller has

04:14

finally been submitted this is the start

04:16

of something apparently not the end of

04:18

something you don't have a president as

04:19

you said talking about Exterminating

04:21

right

04:23

Latinos okay as MSNBC Talent spun it

04:28

yesterday they could work with a

04:31

republican sure but not with someone who

04:34

challenged the results of an election

04:37

thereby subverting our democracy hard no

04:43

The public's trust in the Integrity of

04:45

the US Supreme Court is in Rapid decline

04:47

it just so happens to be a recurring

04:50

theme in our guest Stacy Abrams new

04:52

novel I I just first have to to

04:54

congratulate you on on writing this just

04:56

exquisitly crafted novel Stacy it's

04:59

great to have you back on the show and

05:02

can't wait to talk about the novel I

05:03

just want to do a little bit of politics

05:05

first Brian Kemp and Brad rasenberger to

05:07

undermine access to the elections for

05:09

average Georgians continues to

05:11

reverberate ABS has a brand new thriller

05:14

out tomorrow called Rogue Justice which

05:16

follows a supreme court law clerk as she

05:18

unpacks a riveting legal mystery we're

05:20

going to talk about that in just a

05:22

moment I excited and cannot wait to make

05:24

that a summer read for myself on

05:26

Wednesday I asked former presidential

05:27

candidate Hillary Clinton about this

05:30

fact and how Biden should handle it do

05:32

you think you're a private citizen that

05:34

if he is convicted he should go to

05:36

prison you know I'm not going to

05:37

substitute my judgment for the judicial

05:40

system you know as you say there are

05:42

four uh cases uh I think 91

05:48

counts wait what happened to our secret

05:50

Airwaves I I thought we couldn't

05:52

couldn't have the election deniers on

05:54

MSNBC but maybe it just depends which

05:57

election one is denying uh well look

06:01

MSNBC really wants you to know that this

06:03

has nothing to do with being on the left

06:06

or the right to those who are saying hey

06:09

you had no problem hiring Jens saki who

06:12

lied for a living for years as an Obama

06:15

and then a Biden spokesperson what gives

06:18

well Jen saki herself weighed in on that

06:21

see that was totally different she

06:24

explained because honesty some mainly in

06:28

the right-wing EOS system have made the

06:30

comparison to others who have come from

06:32

government or politics into the media

06:34

including me and that is a comparison I

06:37

felt like I had to address I got into

06:40

public service for the same reason that

06:42

many people do to serve the American

06:44

people and there are many others who

06:46

have followed a similar path who I have

06:48

a great deal of respect for but here's

06:50

the thing that kind of experience only

06:53

matters and only has value to viewers

06:56

all of you if it is paired with honesty

07:00

and with good faith and our democracy is

07:02

in danger because of the lies that

07:04

people like Ron McDaniel have pushed on

07:06

this

07:08

country is it just me or she does does

07:10

she remind you of Dora the Explorer to

07:13

dance the kitty cat dance we need to

07:15

scratch our Kitty paws stomp our feet

07:19

and wag our kitty Tails now we got the

07:22

mermaid free

07:25

yay just saying okay any who Jen saki

07:30

did not lie I guess okay she did not lie

07:34

that's the difference when she was

07:35

working for Joe Biden so she is totally

07:37

different from an RNC spokesperson or

07:40

chair except for that lie about how the

07:43

vast majority of illegal immigrants do

07:45

not intend to stay here as she told us

07:48

or that one about how no one anticipated

07:51

that the Taliban would take over

07:52

Afghanistan as quickly as they did

07:55

despite the fact that her boss was

07:56

caught on tape admitting he knew or that

07:58

time she tried to dismiss the hunter

08:00

Biden laptop as Russian disinformation

08:03

or when she blamed Rising gas prices on

08:05

the war in Ukraine not her boss's

08:07

inflationary policies which had been

08:09

driving them up long before that war

08:11

remember when she accused Ronda santis

08:13

of not encouraging seniors to get

08:14

vaccinated in Florida or that time she

08:17

said only a tiny number of people who

08:19

got the vaccine ever got covid again I

08:22

could go on but

08:25

honesty look none of that matters okay

08:29

because according to

08:31

MSNBC What's Happening Here is very

08:34

dangerous all right and so these are

08:36

dangerous times and we have to respond

08:38

accordingly What's Happening Here

08:39

according to Rachel madow is a long con

08:42

you see all right it's a long con of a

08:44

national party the Republican Party

08:47

getting behind a hitleresque figure and

08:51

his claims of a fraudulent election

08:54

because what they're trying to do is

08:56

lower your defenses against his

08:59

inevitable claim that he once returned

09:02

to office should be allowed to stay

09:05

there

09:07

indefinitely she laid it all out last

09:09

night explaining why Ron McDaniel is

09:13

just that

09:18

dangerous and in a time like

09:21

this it's hard right I mean it's this is

09:25

a challenging and worrying

09:27

time Republican officials have to figure

09:30

out whether they're going to stand up

09:32

for the American system of government or

09:35

not Republican politicians you know

09:38

Congress has to decide if it's going to

09:40

assert its own relevance they're going

09:42

to assert their own independence their

09:44

own role in the government stand up for

09:46

our system of government or

09:49

not judges and prosecutors have to

09:52

decide if they're going to be braver

09:53

than they ever thought they'd have to be

09:55

in this job they have to decide whether

09:57

they're going to stand up to the threats

09:59

and the

10:01

violence I I watched 27 minutes of

10:05

Rachel matad last night I did it for you

10:07

I've never done that before I could not

10:10

believe the dramatics the dramatic

10:13

pauses looking up the ceiling the foe

10:17

wrestling with tears over the state of

10:21

America you know who she reminded me

10:24

of I never could have imagined what my

10:27

story would entail

10:30

to think about what the American dream

10:32

can do across just one generation in

10:36

just one lifetime it's truly

10:40

breathtaking but right now the American

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dream has turned into a

10:48

nightmare I I can't I need help I need

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smart women to remind us all we're out

10:56

there we're plentiful we're everywhere

10:58

we are not def Ed by the Nicole walles

11:01

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