Chuck Todd Speaks Out on Confronting NBC Over Ronna McDaniel: ‘Someone Who Intentionally Tried to Ruin’ Our ‘Credibility’
NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd spoke out on Monday about confronting NBC over its controversial decision to hire former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel.
In a social media post addressing his criticism, Todd wrote, “The issue isn’t about ideology, it’s about basic truth. Those trying to make this a left-right issue are being intentionally dishonest. This is about whether honest journalists are supposed to lend their credibility to someone who intentionally tried to ruin ours.”
After McDaniel appeared on NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday in her new role as a contributor for the network, Todd accused the former RNC chair of having “credibility issues” and said “a lot of journalists at NBC News” are “uncomfortable” with NBC’s decision to hire her.
“When NBC made the decision to give her NBC News’ credibility, you got to ask yourself, what does she bring NBC News?” Todd questioned. “It’s unfortunate for this program.”
Todd was joined in his criticism by MSNBC Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who announced on-air that they “strongly objected” to NBC’s decision.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Jaime Harrison also criticized NBC on Sunday for hiring “a proven liar” who aided former President Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
“Lying about the 2020 election results culminated in Donald Trump encouraging his supporters to stop the peaceful transfer of power,” said Harrison, who called NBC’s decision “a disservice to the journalists who put themselves in harm’s way to cover the violence and brutality at the Capitol” on January 6, 2021.
McDaniel resigned her position as chairwoman of the RNC in February after it was reported that Trump wanted new leadership ahead of the 2024 election.
McDaniel was replaced by former North Carolina Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley and Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.
