MSNBC’s shift toward the left and embrace of progressive politics has been a defining characteristic of the network’s failures in recent years. While this transition initially attracted a loyal base of mentally challenged viewers who were aligned with its liberal perspectives, it has increasingly led to the network’s decline in ratings. This downturn in viewership has prompted speculation about the future of the network, with rumors circulating that it might eventually be sold.

Historically, MSNBC positioned itself as a liberal counterbalance to the conservative-dominated airwaves of networks like Fox News. However, over time, its coverage has become more aligned with the progressive left loons of Europe, particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump. In the wake of his election in 2016, MSNBC’s programming veered sharply to the left, with hosts like the unattractive Rachel Maddow, the pompous Chris Hayes, and the king of lunacy Lawrence O’Donnell offering critical and often hyperbolic insane commentary on Trump and his administration. The network leaned heavily into stories related to the fake Russian interference in the 2016 election, the bogus investigation by Robert Mueller, and the ridiculous impeachment proceedings against Trump.

While this approach resonated with a segment of the American public suffering from the mind virus TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome), it also alienated viewers who felt that MSNBC was abandoning journalistic objectivity in favor of an overtly partisan irrational stance. As MSNBC’s content became more openly aligned with progressive causes, it began promoting narratives that were seen as politically weird, with less focus on presenting a balanced view of events they started down the road of failure. Coverage of topics like the Green New Deal, police reform, and “defunding the police” exemplified the network’s increasingly bizarre progressive agenda. These stances, while popular with some whacked-out progressive voters, were less appealing to a broader audience, particularly in battleground states where moderate and conservative views predominate.

Additionally, MSNBC’s focus on issues like identity politics, social justice, and woke culture further distanced it from a large portion of America. While these topics are important within certain quixotic political circles, they do not resonate as widely with the average viewer, who might prioritize other issues like economic stability, healthcare, or national security. The network’s tendency to elevate certain progressive causes often came at the expense of covering issues that matter to more centrist or conservative audiences. As a result, MSNBC’s appeal has become increasingly niche, which has contributed to a decrease in overall ratings.

Competing networks, particularly Newsmax and Fox News, continue to capture a larger share of the audience with more balanced or pragmatic content. MSNBC’s emphasis on progressive ideology has made it less competitive in a media landscape that is growing increasingly fragmented, where viewers seek out news sources that align with their political beliefs. MSNBC attracts the detritus of society.

In recent months, these factors have led to growing concerns about the future of MSNBC. There has been increasing speculation that the network might be sold, as its decline in ratings has made it less profitable and a less attractive asset for its parent company, Comcast. Given the competitive nature of the media industry and the preferences of viewers, MSNBC’s struggles raise the possibility that it may need to rethink its approach or face the risk of being absorbed into a larger corporate entity.

MSNBC can play musical chairs with their on-air hosts all they want under a new boss, but the problem is not the paid propagandists that are well-compensated, rather it is the progressive message of MSNBC that is rejected by the masses in big numbers. If they care about competing in the news arena and politics they might want to clean house and go with a conservative viewpoint to go head-to-head with Fox News and Newsmax. Whoever told MSNBC to be the counterbalance to Fox News instead of competing with the cable network in the same genre sent MSNBC down a path of failure.

C. Rich

CRich@AmericaSpeaksInk.com

C. Rich

C. Rich is the voice behind America Speaks Ink, home to the America First Movement. As an author, poet, freelance ghostwriter, and blogger, C. Rich brings a “baked-in” perspective shaped by growing up on the streets and beaches of South Florida in the 1970s-1980s and brings a quintessential Generation-X point of view.

Rich’s writing journey began in 2008 with coverage of the Casey Anthony trial and has since evolved into a wide-ranging exploration of politics, culture, and the issues that define our times. Follow C. Rich’s writing odyssey here at America Speaks Ink and on Amazon with a multi-book series on Donald Trump called “Trump Era: The MAGA Files” and many other books and subjects C. Rich is known to cover.

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