Megyn Kelly and Rachel Maddow Clash Over Joy Reid’s MSNBC Exit: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

The news of Joy Reid’s departure from MSNBC has triggered a storm of speculation, accusations, and insider revelations—with Megyn Kelly and Rachel Maddow at the center of it all.

This unexpected feud between two of America’s most prominent television journalists has stirred debates far beyond network walls, as viewers and insiders alike scramble to understand what truly led to the end of Reid’s run on the cable news channel.

Joy Reid, host of The ReidOut, was a key figure at MSNBC and one of the most visible Black women in political news media.

Her commentary, unapologetically progressive and often focused on issues of race, justice, and social change, earned her both staunch supporters and vocal critics.

But her position became increasingly tenuous as MSNBC’s leadership began shifting its strategic direction in early 2025.

While rumors of Reid’s dismissal had circulated for months, it wasn’t until Megyn Kelly took to her podcast to speak candidly—and some say recklessly—about the circumstances of Reid’s firing that the story exploded.

On an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, the former Fox News and NBC anchor didn’t hold back. “Joy Reid didn’t get fired because of ratings or because she was too ‘in-your-face,’” Kelly asserted.

“She was pushed out because she made people at MSNBC uncomfortable, especially those who pretend to be allies while holding knives behind their backs. One of them is Rachel Maddow.”

Kelly’s comments were met with immediate backlash, but also widespread attention. She painted a picture of backstage betrayal and silent complicity, pointing the finger at Rachel Maddow—MSNBC’s highest-paid star and most influential voice.

According to Kelly, Maddow allegedly lobbied behind the scenes to preserve her influence within the network, subtly undermining Reid’s position.

“She [Maddow] doesn’t need to raise her voice or write the email herself,” Kelly continued. “She’s the queen bee at MSNBC. If she wants someone gone, it happens quietly—but effectively.”

Rachel Maddow’s camp was quick to respond. Though Maddow herself didn’t release a personal statement, her representatives strongly denied the accusations, calling Kelly’s claims “baseless,” “malicious,” and “a desperate attempt at attention.”

One insider at MSNBC said, “Rachel had nothing to do with Joy’s contract not being renewed. Decisions like this come from top network executives looking at long-term brand alignment, not personal vendettas.”

However, Kelly didn’t back down. In a follow-up episode, she doubled down on her claims and added more context.

She said she had spoken with multiple people at MSNBC, both past and present, who confirmed that there had been longstanding tension between Maddow and Reid.

“The network wants to project diversity and inclusion, but they’re uncomfortable when someone like Joy Reid actually speaks hard truths,” Kelly said. “Rachel knows how to play the game better. She smiles and stays silent while decisions are made in back rooms.”

Amid the rising drama, Joy Reid has remained largely silent, offering only a cryptic tweet that read, “Truth doesn’t need a microphone—it just needs time.” Many have interpreted this as a subtle jab at MSNBC’s leadership or perhaps at those who chose not to defend her publicly.

Meanwhile, viewers and media analysts are divided. Some accuse Megyn Kelly of exploiting Reid’s firing for her own relevance. Others applaud her for saying what many insiders are allegedly too afraid to say out loud.

“She may be controversial,” one analyst noted, “but Megyn Kelly has a track record of calling out hypocrisy within media institutions. Whether she’s right or wrong about Maddow, she’s reigniting a crucial conversation about who holds power in these so-called progressive spaces.”

MSNBC itself has not released a detailed statement explaining Reid’s departure, only stating that they are “grateful for her contributions and wish her the best in future endeavors.” But the vague nature of the announcement has only fueled further speculation.

Adding complexity to the narrative is the network’s recent pivot toward a more centrist tone. Several programming changes over the past year have reflected MSNBC’s effort to broaden its audience base—an effort some say came at the cost of voices like Reid’s.

“There’s a reckoning happening in mainstream media,” said a former MSNBC producer who asked to remain anonymous. “Voices that were once celebrated as bold and necessary are now being sidelined. It’s not about ratings; it’s about comfort and control. And yes, power dynamics within the talent roster absolutely play a part in who stays and who goes.”

If what Megyn Kelly is saying has even a grain of truth, it opens up troubling questions about allyship and authenticity in progressive media circles.

Is it possible that Maddow, a celebrated icon of liberal journalism, acted out of self-preservation—or even quiet hostility—toward another woman of color who was gaining too much traction?

Or is Kelly capitalizing on behind-the-scenes drama to stoke division and boost her own brand?

Either way, the controversy has thrust MSNBC into an uncomfortable spotlight.

For her part, Kelly seems more emboldened than ever. She ended her most recent commentary with a pointed remark: “People in the media love to talk about justice and equity, as long as it doesn’t affect their contracts or their airtime. But people are watching now. The veil has been lifted.”

As viewers wait for more clarity from Joy Reid, and as Maddow continues her nightly show with no public acknowledgment of the swirling controversy, one thing is clear: this feud is far from over.

In the world of television news, silence often speaks louder than soundbites. And in the wake of Joy Reid’s quiet exit, the noise surrounding it has become deafening.