NBC News severed its ties to former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel after intense internal backlash. Radio host Buck Sexton says paying out her contract will be a simple one for the network, especially after what it paid to Megyn Kelly.
In 2018, Kelly insinuated it was ok for people to wear blackface as long as they were impersonating a black character. The subsequent backlash led to her departure from NBC News, with the outlet paying her the rest of her contract.
A similar situation unfolded with Ronna McDaniel, who has signed a reported two-year, $600,000 contract with the network to serve as a political analyst after resigning from her role with the Republican National Committee earlier this month.
After her hiring, many at MSNBC and inside the NBC News organization pushed back against the idea of hiring someone who had been intensely critical of the mainstream media, and also touted lies about the validity of the 2020 Presidential election until joining the network as a contributor.
NBC News Chairman Cesar Conde revealed it was his decision to end the relationship with Ronna McDaniel.
“I want to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down. While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I approved it and take full responsibility for it,” he wrote in an internal memo to staffers.
After the news of McDaniel’s departure became official, The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show began the show with the topic, leading Sexton to argue this isn’t the first time NBC News has been in this position.
“They did it. They actually fired the former RNC chair. I think she did one interview. The reports are they’re gonna pay her $300,000 for both of the years of her contract. For NBC, that’s nothing. Remember, NBC had to pay out Megyn Kelly’s contract a while ago at like $70 million or something,” said Buck Sexton. “$600,000 for them is a rounding error. The amount of money these corporate news outlets can put toward stupid decision making — in both of those cases firing talent — is remarkable in and of itself.”
At the time of her exit from NBC News, it was reported Megyn Kelly would receive $30 million from the outlet.
Co-host Clay Travis argued that while listeners of the show may not be big fans of McDaniel, people should be concerned about the treatment of Trump supporters. “They aren’t interested in talking to half the country,” he posited.
Marie Sheil
October 6, 2022 at 9:51 am
Bernie,you were one of a kind. We will miss you terribly.
Sondra Alfonsin
October 6, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Bernie was an amazing man. My husband and I are long time listeners. When we heard the news of his passing, we felt as though we lost a member of our family. When you have listened to someone for so many years, the loss is a feeling of emptiness. We always had our coffee ☕️ in the morning when his show started. We will miss him terribly, but know he is out of pain and in a better place😢
Our sincere sympathy to his wife and family.
Bernadette
October 6, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Bernie,
You were the most intelligent, quiet Irishman I listened to every morning. You could feel the love you had for your family through the radio. May God keep you in his care.
Mark Traum
October 6, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Sid remember good friends are hard to come and you were a good friend to Bernie and he to you! We loved the comarady that came over the airwaves each and every morning. How lucky you are to have all those great memories that the two of you created together. We feel your pain. Thanks for keeping us company every morning. Take care be well and safe stay the course and be strong