LOL: MSNBC Reportedly Demands That Joy Reid, Stephanie Ruhle Take Pay Cuts to Keep Their Jobs

"Resistance journalism" -- spoiler, it's not journalism if it has the specific goal of political advocacy and propaganda -- is finally dying.

MSNBC's Joy Reid and Stephanie Ruhle will reportedly need to take a pay cut if they want to remain in their anchor chairs as the struggling cable network continues to cut costs.

The left-leaning news channel -- which recently gave star anchor Rachel Maddow a $5 million-a-year haircut from her annual $30 million haul -- has been negotiating with Reid and Ruhle on new deals at reduced salaries, according to the Ankler newsletter.

The controversial Reid is believed to be earning $3 million a year to host her nightly 8 p.m. show, "The ReidOut," according to the Washington Free Beacon.

Reid, who has been with the network since 2011 and in primetime since 2020, recently raised hackles again with a pre-Thanksgiving rant in which she accused Republicans of worshiping Donald Trump "instead of Jesus."

Ruhle, host of "The 11th Hour" at 11 p.m. weeknights, is thought to make $2 million a year, the Free Beacon reported.

She has also been a frequent Trump basher but recently praised him for being more accessible to the press than President Biden. Ruhle revealed she was able to contact Trump on his cellphone -- though he told her to "go f--k myself" when she asked for an interview, she quipped.

A third prominent host, Jonathan Lemire -- who was elevated this month to co-host "Morning Joe" from anchoring "Way Too Early" -- has also been offered a new contract at a reduced salary, the Ankler reported.

An MSNBC spokesperson reached by The Post said the network would not comment on personnel matters.

...

The reported lowball offers follow an exclusive story by The Post that staffers at MSNBC's headquarters at 30 Rock are in a panic over looming layoffs after parent company Comcast announced plans to spin off its cable properties.

The upheaval has led to reports that MSNBC president Rashida Jones is considering leaving the network after Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20.

A spokesperson for Jones denied she is leaving.

Meanwhile, MSNBC's primetime ratings continue to nosedive, tanking more than 60% since last month's historic election victory by Trump. It fell behind ratings-challenged CNN in the coveted 25-to-54 demographic for the year in Total Day viewers.

Lower than CNN? Ouch, that's terrible.

Meanwhile, ABC also gave a new contract to professional defamation agent George Stephanopolous, but also with a big cut.

And they only did that, per reports, to avoid having "his blood on their hands."

In other words: They really wanted to fire him but thought the optics and backlash from fellow "Resistance journalist" Marxists would be too great.

Disney renews George Stephanopoulos' contract -- with pay cut -- despite $16M Trump settlement because it didn't want 'his blood on their hands': source

Disney decided to renew ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos' contract -- despite having to fork over a $16 million legal settlement -- because they didn't want "his blood on their hands," The Post has learned.

Stephanopoulos, who hosts "This Week" and is a co-anchor on "Good Morning America," was handed a multi-year deal -- though he took a pay cut from his lofty $20 million annual salary, sources said.

"No one wants a talent mess on their hands," one longtime network executive told The Post. "No one wants an angry George Stephanopoulos loose in the world. No one wants to humiliate George by firing him or to have his blood on their hands."

...

"George is well-liked by the liberal-elite in Hollywood and The Hamptons. He's friends with Jerry Seinfeld, Michael J Fox and Netflix boss Ted Sarandos," the source said, adding that he operates in the same "bubble" as left-leaning Disney top brass.

"George has carefully cultivated a relationship with [Disney CEO] Bob Iger and board members. He remains a respected member of the Disney family."

But inside the halls of ABC News, staffers remain "livid" over Iger's decision to stand by Stephanopoulos and cave to Trump.

"They paid off Trump for a mistake that George made. How many jobs could that $16 million have saved?" said a second network source, citing a fresh round of layoffs at the network.

"I think people are angry at the humiliation of the settlement with Trump. People are angry with George's unforced errors and his defiance and that he's rewarded for his mistakes with another lucrative contract even if his salary has been cut," the first source said.

The source said that even if the journalist is well-regarded by top brass, he isn't a favorite among staffers.

Sources said Stephanopoulos is a "loner" who doesn't play well with others.

They noted that Stephanopoulos won't take part in election night coverage or appear on air with "ABC World News Tonight" anchor David Muir.

"Most great anchors are larger than life. George has always been smaller than life. And this humiliating settlement has made him even smaller," the network exec said.

He is smaller than life. That's true.

Which might be why he won't appear on camera in a group setting. His tiny manlet body would be exposed.

posted by Ace at 01:22 PM

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