“A BUNCH OF INCOMPETIENTS…” Versant CEO Mark Lazarus has revealed three shocking names who will be “saying goodbye” to MSNBC this month.

Those were the cutting words reportedly used by Versant CEO Mark Lazarus during a closed-door meeting earlier this week, moments before revealing the most dramatic shakeup in MSNBC’s recent history.

With the network under increasing pressure to reinvent itself, Lazarus has named three high-profile figures who will be forced to “say goodbye” to MSNBC by the end of this month — a move that has stunned both the newsroom and the wider media industry.

As the dust settles, speculation is running wild, and questions are flying: who are the names, why were they chosen, and what does this mean for the future of the network?

According to multiple insider sources, the decision wasn’t made lightly — but it was made swiftly.

In what one executive described as a “clean break,” Lazarus reportedly told senior leadership that MSNBC was “dragging its feet in a digital-first world” and being weighed down by personalities who were “out of step” with modern journalism.

The three individuals being let go weren’t just longtime employees — they were considered pillars of the brand.

Their departures signal a stunning shift in tone, direction, and values.

Though Lazarus has yet to publicly confirm the names, leaks have already begun surfacing, and the reactions have been swift and polarized.

One name being circulated is a veteran prime-time anchor known for their fiery monologues and progressive commentary.

Another is a long-serving correspondent who was once hailed for their on-the-ground reporting but has recently been criticized for losing relevance in the fast-paced, digital-first media cycle.

The third is believed to be a weekend host whose ratings have plummeted over the past year, despite a once-loyal viewership.

Employees at MSNBC were reportedly blindsided by the announcement.

One staffer described the mood in the newsroom as “chaotic and paranoid,” with producers, reporters, and hosts unsure of who might be next.

“It’s not just about those three names,” the source said.

“It’s about a total shift in identity. No one feels safe anymore.”

Insiders close to Lazarus have defended the move, insisting that it’s part of a larger strategy to revamp MSNBC for the streaming era.

With younger audiences turning away from traditional cable, the network has struggled to maintain its foothold in the ratings race.

Competitors like CNN and Fox News have already made aggressive digital pivots, while newcomers on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Substack have begun pulling in millions of politically engaged viewers.

For Lazarus, maintaining the status quo was no longer an option.

“We have to be ten steps ahead — not ten years behind,” he reportedly told executives.

Still, the language Lazarus allegedly used — including the phrase “a bunch of incompetents” — has stirred outrage behind the scenes.

Many employees feel the criticism was unfair, especially given the constraints of corporate bureaucracy and constant changes in direction from higher-ups.

Some view the firings as scapegoating — a public sacrifice of a few high-profile figures to mask deeper, systemic issues.

Others argue it’s long overdue, that MSNBC has grown too complacent and has failed to innovate in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Public reaction has been just as divided.

Loyal MSNBC viewers have taken to social media to express disbelief and anger, with hashtags supporting the dismissed anchors trending on X (formerly Twitter).

Some see the shakeup as corporate overreach — a top-down purge of authentic voices in favor of safer, more marketable replacements.

Others welcome the change, calling it a necessary step toward a more dynamic and forward-thinking network.

What comes next is still unclear.

MSNBC has not yet announced who will replace the outgoing figures, or whether more names will follow.

However, internal memos suggest that a full rebranding effort is underway, including a revamped prime-time lineup, expanded streaming offerings, and a push toward “faster, leaner, more impactful” storytelling.

In other words, this isn’t just a casting change — it’s a reinvention of the network’s DNA.

For the three individuals facing the exit, their futures remain uncertain.

All three have declined to comment publicly so far, though one hinted on social media that a “new chapter” is on the horizon.

Given their experience, it’s likely they won’t stay off-air for long — and might even find greater creative freedom elsewhere.

What is certain is this: MSNBC is no longer the same.

Mark Lazarus’s bold and brutal decision marks a defining moment for the network — one that could either catapult it into a new era of relevance or alienate the very audience it’s hoping to keep.

Either way, the countdown has begun, and all eyes are watching what happens next.