NBC Universal News Group's Disconnect with MSNBC Hosts Exposed by Scarborough's On-Air Criticism

Veteran MSNBC host Joe Scarborough rebukes network executives for sidelining "Morning Joe" in the wake of Trump assassination attempt, citing lack of collaboration and transparency in decision-making.

For the second time this year, NBC bosses have faced public criticism from their own anchors on MSNBC. On Tuesday morning, "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough lashed out at network executives for sidelining his show after the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

Scarborough's harsh words came less than four months after he and other prominent MSNBC voices publicly expressed outrage over the network's hiring of Ronna McDaniel, the former Republican National Committee chairwoman, as a contributor. That incident left a black mark on the leadership of NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, NBC News Editorial Chief Rebecca Blumenstein, and MSNBC President Rashida Jones.

NBC Universal News Group's Disconnect with MSNBC Hosts Exposed by Scarborough's On-Air Criticism

The latest controversy stems from the network's decision to replace "Morning Joe" with special NBC News reporting on Monday, leaving the flagship show off the air during an extraordinary news cycle. Scarborough recounted how he was informed on Sunday evening that all NBC News channels would be operating under a single news feed, which never materialized.

"We were told, in no uncertain terms, on Sunday evening, that there was going to be one news feed across all NBC News channels yesterday," said Scarborough, questioning why the plan was "not given a good answer" for its abandonment.

NBC Universal News Group's Disconnect with MSNBC Hosts Exposed by Scarborough's On-Air Criticism

Fox News Digital exclusively reported that the show's producers and hosts had been notified of the decision but were shocked and upset when it turned out to be the only significant MSNBC program to be removed from its regular schedule.

"We were very surprised," Scarborough said. "We were very disappointed."

NBC Universal News Group's Disconnect with MSNBC Hosts Exposed by Scarborough's On-Air Criticism

Co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist expressed their desire to be on the air to discuss the assassination attempt, a view shared by Scarborough, who suggested that he and Brzezinski might consider leaving the network if such an incident occurs again.

"And the newsfeed will be us, or they can get somebody else to host the show," Scarborough stated.

NBC Universal News Group's Disconnect with MSNBC Hosts Exposed by Scarborough's On-Air Criticism

Public airing of grievances by cable news hosts against their own employers is a rarity in the industry, where highly compensated talking heads typically toe the line with their superiors. However, outspoken liberal pundits across MSNBC, as well as on NBC's "Meet the Press," also revolted against the hiring of McDaniel in March.

The former RNC chairwoman was signed as a paid contributor, sparking intense backlash from Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, Joy Reid, Jen Psaki, and Lawrence O'Donnell, who joined Scarborough and Brzezinski in criticizing NBC leadership.

NBC Universal News Group's Disconnect with MSNBC Hosts Exposed by Scarborough's On-Air Criticism

Todd called out Conde on "Meet the Press," demanding an apology for forcing him to interview a colleague with "credibility issues." Todd's public criticism opened the floodgates for others to voice their concerns.

"The fact that Ms. McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News – to me that is inexplicable," Maddow bluntly told viewers.

Wallace lamented that the network's "sacred airwaves" had been tainted, while Psaki warned that "our democracy is in danger because of the lies that people like Ronna McDaniel have pushed on this country."

NBC capitulated and terminated McDaniel's contract just four days after her hire, a humiliating episode that exposed the disconnect between the network's corporate bosses and its left-leaning hosts and staff.

"There’s now an obvious line drawn between NBC/MSNBC anchors and correspondents, and the executives who oversee them. The talent doesn’t trust the execs and the execs don’t trust the talent," a former MSNBC executive told Fox News Digital at the time.

Scarborough's on-air criticism on Tuesday marked another low point for the network, with a former NBC News producer expressing dismay at Conde's handling of the situation.

"It’s shameful that Cesar Conde allows Joe Scarborough to dump on his bosses on air. It was the same with Rachel and Nicolle ranting about their bosses’ decision to hire Ronna McDaniel," the producer said.

Liberal media critic Jeff Jarvis praised Scarborough for speaking out, calling his statement a "lie" and demanding more transparency about the decision-making process. Jarvis warned that the network is on thin ice with its loyal viewers.

"With the failure of the Times & Post and CNN, MSNBC is all that we have left. Don't f--k it up, NBC," Jarvis wrote.

MSNBC has not yet responded to a request for comment.