Megyn Kelly’s Explosive Reaction to Joy Reid’s Departure from MSNBC: “We Won’t Have Her to Kick Around Anymore”

In a stunning moment that is shaking up the cable news world, Megyn Kelly’s reaction to Joy Reid’s departure from MSNBC has taken center stage. The former Fox News anchor, known for her candid, often controversial takes, shocked audiences with her response to the exit of one of MSNBC’s most polarizing figures.

While many anticipated Kelly would revel in the news, what she said instead left viewers stunned—and created a firestorm of reactions that are continuing to echo across social media. Was this a moment of celebration, or is there a deeper, more reflective layer to Kelly’s remarks about Reid’s controversial legacy? This article dives into the explosive fallout from Kelly’s words, the implications of Reid’s exit, and the broader shifts taking place in cable news.

Megyn Kelly launches podcast network

Joy Reid’s Sudden Exit: What We Know So Far

Joy Reid’s departure from MSNBC took many by surprise, though insiders suggest that mounting controversies and declining ratings played a significant role in the decision. Reid, who had been a staunch progressive voice on The ReidOut, became one of MSNBC’s most recognizable faces after launching her primetime show in 2020. Known for her unapologetic take on race, politics, and social justice, Reid quickly became a lightning rod for both passionate support and intense criticism.

Her departure comes after a period of intense scrutiny. Reid’s reputation took hits due to her past blog posts, accusations of homophobia, and the controversial on-air clashes she often had with conservative figures. Despite surviving previous attempts to push her out, it appears the combination of her divisive rhetoric and the network’s shifting priorities led to her exit.

As Reid leaves the network, questions about MSNBC’s future programming strategy loom large. Will the network move in a more centrist direction, or continue its commitment to progressive commentary? The answer could significantly impact how the network approaches the upcoming 2024 election cycle.

Megyn Kelly’s Sharp Words: Celebration or Reflection?

Megyn Kelly, who has long been a critic of Reid’s progressive approach, wasted no time offering her thoughts on the exit. On The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly expressed what many expected to be a scathing critique, but her comments took an unexpected turn. Rather than unleashing a tirade, Kelly injected a surprising moment of reflection, saying, “We won’t have her to kick around anymore. There’s a little sadness in that.”

The phrase “kick around anymore” immediately caught the attention of listeners. It’s a reference to Richard Nixon’s infamous remark in 1962 after he lost the California gubernatorial race, which Kelly cleverly used to capture the essence of Reid’s polarizing career. While Kelly’s words seemed to celebrate Reid’s departure, they also hinted at a deeper sadness over the end of their long-running ideological feud.

Kelly’s nuanced take has sparked a wave of reactions, from admiration to criticism. Was she acknowledging Reid’s influence and legacy in the media, or was this simply a veiled dig at a longtime adversary?

The Long-Standing Feud: Kelly vs. Reid

The feud between Megyn Kelly and Joy Reid has been simmering for years, with both women embodying the ideological divide that has defined much of America’s media landscape. As conservative Kelly clashed with progressive Reid, their on-air exchanges became emblematic of the larger culture wars that have shaped cable news.

Their disagreements reached a boiling point in 2018 when Reid mocked Kelly for her infamous blackface Halloween segment, which led to Kelly’s exit from NBC. Reid’s criticism was sharp, accusing Kelly of lacking understanding of racism and culture. Kelly, in turn, accused Reid of hypocrisy, referencing past blog posts that contained allegedly homophobic comments.

In many ways, Reid’s departure marks the end of a particular chapter in the cable news wars—one that has seen these two powerful women battling it out on-air and in public discourse. Kelly’s remarks reflect this dynamic, as she acknowledges the unique role Reid played as a rhetorical foil for her own career.

Megyn Kelly - Wikipedia

Reid’s Polarizing Legacy: A Divisive Figure in Cable News

Joy Reid’s departure has sparked mixed reactions from viewers and media critics alike. For many of her supporters, Reid was a fearless voice for racial justice and progressive causes, confronting uncomfortable truths about American society. Her willingness to tackle issues of race, inequality, and the failures of American institutions won her a loyal following among viewers who admired her courage and intellectual rigor.

One fan wrote, “Joy Reid spoke truth to power, and we need more of that in the media. I’m going to miss her voice.”

However, for others, Reid’s brand of political commentary was seen as divisive and alienating. Critics argued that her rhetoric often relied too heavily on identity politics and failed to bring people together. Megyn Kelly herself pointed out this divisive approach, commenting that Reid’s show had become predictable, especially when race was involved.

In Kelly’s view, Reid’s style of activism disguised as journalism had reached its limit, contributing to her eventual downfall. “She became predictable,” Kelly said. “If a story involved race, you knew where Joy Reid was going to go. And that’s not journalism. That’s activism dressed up as news.”

The Future of MSNBC: What’s Next After Reid’s Exit?

As MSNBC grapples with the loss of a prominent figure, questions abound about the network’s future direction. Will it continue its commitment to progressive voices, or will it shift toward a more centrist approach to appeal to a broader audience? Some media analysts believe Reid’s departure signals a pivot within the network, as MSNBC seeks to balance its ideological leanings with the need for ratings in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

The future of Reid’s time slot remains unclear, but names like Alicia Menendez, Mehdi Hasan, and even Chris Hayes have been floated as potential replacements. However, insiders suggest that MSNBC is looking for “fresh energy” and “a less polarizing voice.”

Kelly’s Strategic Positioning in the Post-Reid Era

With Reid gone, Megyn Kelly finds herself without one of her most high-profile opponents. For years, Kelly used Reid as a foil to energize her conservative base. With Reid’s departure, Kelly may need to recalibrate her approach to the media landscape.

“She was the gift that kept on giving,” Kelly quipped. “But don’t worry, folks, the media still has plenty of ideologues.”

This strategic positioning suggests that Kelly may see Reid’s exit as an opportunity to take on a new set of adversaries, but whether that will be enough to keep her audience engaged remains to be seen.

The Bigger Picture: The Future of Cable News

Joy Reid’s departure is about more than just one person. It’s about the future of political journalism in the United States and the evolving role of cable news in a fragmented media world. As media consumption becomes more polarized, figures like Reid and Kelly have become symbolic of deeper cultural divides. But with Reid gone, the question remains: Will this moment lead to a reinvention of journalism, or will cable news continue to fuel the partisan divide?

As the cable news landscape shifts, one thing is clear: the ideological battles will continue, but with new players taking center stage. Only time will tell who will fill the void left by Reid’s departure, and how the landscape will look as we move into the 2024 election cycle.