Donald Trump’s return to the political stage has done more than electrify his base—it’s exposed a glaring vulnerability in liberal media outlets like MSNBC and CNN. For years, these networks thrived on a steady stream of anti-Trump content, but the formula appears to be running dry. The latest blow? MSNBC’s ratings hit a two-decade low on Tuesday, November 26, drawing just 38,000 viewers in the prized 25-54 demographic—a demographic critical to advertisers for its spending power and flexibility.
Karine Jean Pierre lied to the faces of the White House press and the country, and she will be rewarded with the CNN or MSNBC contract. And you can stop talking about disinformation forever.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 2, 2024
This was not a holiday slump. For context, MSNBC’s numbers on this ordinary Tuesday were worse than those typically seen on major holidays like New Year’s Day or the Fourth of July. Shows like The 11th Hour With Stephanie Ruhle and Jose Diaz-Balart Reports hit rock bottom with their lowest viewership ever. Even flagship programs like Deadline: White House and Katy Tur Reports faltered, failing to attract the audience advertisers covet most.
It’s not just the numbers causing concern. MSNBC’s audience decline reflects a deeper disconnect with Americans tired of media bias and repetitive narratives. Since Trump’s decisive victory on election night, the network has lost over half its audience, and key programs like Inside with Jen Psaki and The ReidOut with Joy Reid have seen sharp declines. The problem? The audience that once tuned in to watch a steady stream of Trump condemnation has found other sources—or simply tuned out altogether.
Yikes, 38,000.
MSNBC should be sold off immediately and run without its crazy progressive hosts. https://t.co/80qmSSuFFp
— Jeff Clark (@JeffClarkUS) December 2, 2024
The fallout at MSNBC is more than just ratings. Comcast recently announced plans to spin off MSNBC and other NBCUniversal cable outlets, detaching them from NBC News. This shake-up underscores the network’s precarious position as it struggles to redefine itself in a media landscape that increasingly values authenticity over partisanship.
Adding insult to injury, revelations of behind-the-scenes hypocrisy—like Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski cozying up to Trump while denouncing him on-air—have further alienated loyal viewers.
Young voters, a demographic Trump performed surprisingly well with in the last election, have been particularly immune to MSNBC’s messaging. Economic concerns and distrust of media spin appear to be driving this shift. The network’s insistence that “everything is fine” economically, coupled with its downplaying of border crises and other pressing issues, failed to resonate. High-profile inaccuracies, such as falsely claiming Trump called for Liz Cheney’s execution, only deepened skepticism.
Congratulations MSNBC, you certainly earned it. https://t.co/5TzvBqDlfu
— Mark UltraMaga 1A 2A (@MarkUltramaga) December 2, 2024
