MSNBC reportedly offers Joy Reid, Stephanie Ruhle pay cuts to stay in anchor chairs

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.”

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MSNBC star Joy Reid has been told she needs to take a cut in pay if she hopes to continue as a host on the network, according to a report.

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.

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Stephanie Ruhle, host of MSNBC’s nightly show “The 11th Hour,” is also likely to accept a pay cut.

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Jonathan Lemire, a co-host on “Morning Joe,” has been offered a cut in pay, according to the Ankler newsletter.

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.

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Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s most bankable star, reportedly took a pay cut when signing her new contract last month.

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.

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MSNBC’s future remains murky in light of plans by corporate parent Comcast to spin off its cable television assets.
While the two left-leaning networks have seen an erosion in audience over the past month, Fox News’ viewership has grown 7% since Election Day, according to recent Nielsen figures.

The conservative network also extended its reign as the No. 1 cable news channel in total viewers and in the key 25-54 demographic for the ninth year in a row.

Fox News shares common ownership with The Post’s owner, News Corp.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/19/media/msnbc-tells-joy-reid-stephanie-ruhle-to-take-pay-cuts-report/