Following the recent presidential election, former MSNBC journalist Keith Olbermann has offered his former network some pointed advice on how to navigate the political landscape. In a strongly worded opinion piece for Variety, Olbermann urged MSNBC to resist any temptation to moderate its stance and instead fully embrace anti-Trump, progressive programming.
Olbermann's first recommendation was a drastic one: fire "Morning Joe" co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough for their recent meeting with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This meeting, intended to foster communication between the two parties, drew sharp criticism from liberals who accused the co-hosts of appeasing Trump. Olbermann echoed this sentiment, labeling them "collaborators" and suggesting their show continue without them.
He argued against moderation, claiming that "the next money is coming from more fervent opposition to MAGA," pointing to declining viewership among outlets that have softened their anti-Trump coverage. He cited examples like CNN and The Washington Post, suggesting their attempts at neutrality have led to audience loss.
Olbermann positioned MSNBC as the "only liberal candy store still open," urging the network to capitalize on this potential monopoly. He criticized past MSNBC executives for attempting to cater to conservative audiences, arguing that such efforts dilute the network's core identity. He even suggested a network rebrand, proposing names like "N.E.W.S.," "American News Network," or even the provocative "F Trump TV."
Beyond personnel changes, Olbermann advocated for refreshing the network's programming, suggesting a focus on "comfort food" for primetime viewers and replicating the morning show format with new sets and titles. He also proposed bringing in more progressive hosts, such as The Nation’s Elie Mystal.
Olbermann's concluding message was a call to aggressive resistance, stating, "The bullies don’t stop hitting you because you’re nice to them. They stop hitting you when you knock them out cold." He believes this approach will not only yield financial success but also uphold "non-cash virtues like moral force and ethics and journalism and patriotism and liberty."
