- NBC News is dropping Ronna McDaniel as a contributor, according to multiple reports.
- McDaniel’s hire had attracted a considerable amount of controversy at the network.
- Critics pointed to McDaniel’s previous support of former President Trump’s 2020 election claims as a deal-breaker.
NBC News will drop former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor after on-air criticism of the hiring from some of the network’s top talent, according to multiple reports.
“No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned,” NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde wrote in a Tuesday memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal and others. “Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal.”
In recent days, the decision to hire McDaniel — who led the RNC from January 2017 until earlier this month — was panned in very public fashion by NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd, “Morning Joe” cohosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, and others at the company.
Politico reported this week that the position was set to pay McDaniel roughly $300,000 per year — which raised internal ire among many at the network after NBC News underwent layoffs in January.
Business Insider has reached out to NBC News for further comment.
This story is developing, check back for more information.
