"Our history is at risk of being stolen away": Joy Reid issues bombshell statement after shocking MSNBC Exit

American commentator and television host of MSNBC, Joy Reid, has left the MSNBC network after 11 years of service. The announcement was made by Rebecca Kutler, the current president of MSNBC, on February 24.

The television host also said goodbye to her colleagues and fans by adding,

"Special shoutout to our amazing readers, our audience. I just love running into y'all in the airport, on these streets, and on social media. I could not love or appreciate you more. Thank you, thank you, thank you for holding us down… almost 5 years. We are toddlers, and we are out in these streets in this world, and we are not going to stop. That is tonight's Reidout."

Reid also shared a statement on Instagram and Bluesky, thanking the fans for all the support. In the statement, she added:

"So very proud of The Reidout @joy.msnbc.com team, who are truly family, and all of our supporters & friends."

Many fans speculate that Joy Reid was fired, but MSNBC hasn't clarified it yet. Her show, The ReidOut, was canceled, suggesting the decision was made by the network.

After the commentator's exit from MSNBC, she was spotted at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards show on February 27, 2025. The now canceled television show's host gave another shocking statement speaking on Black Women and their history.

"We as Black Women, are living in a time of theft. A time, when our history is at risk of being stolen away and hidden. At a time when our political power (Cmon 92%) is being threatened." Joy Reid stated in a speech.

She continued,

"Our opportunity to participate in this democracy is being threatened. A time, when we are losing the service, potentially, of federal workers who are disproportionately us in the service that we disproportionately give."

She further gave her take on DEI,

"When those of us, who are in the United States military are being told that our history cannot be taught in military academies, that our photos cannot be shown on their websites, because that is Dei, as if diversity, equity and inclusion is not a great thing."

---

Joy Reid speaks out upon Black women at 2025 Essence Awards Days after recent MSNBC Dismissal

At 2025 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Joy Reid marked her presence alongside other big names such as Issa Rae, Tyla, Danielle Brooks, Cynthia Erivo, and more gathered to celebrate Black Women in the film and TV industry. Reid was invited on stage during the event, where she was welcomed with a loud cheer and standing ovation from the crowd.

Like any good speech, Reid started with a joke upon her recent dismissal from MSNBC show.

"I think you guys might've heard that I recently went through a breakup. Not with my husband, because today actually is our anniversary.” Joy joked

She further dwelled into her personal life, explaining she's a mother, an author, a wife, a filmmaker, and more. She further stated,

"We (Black Women) are many things, so you can't take one thing away from us and say that you've taken all from us, because we are so multidimensional. And that is why it's so warm and powerful and important to be in this room at this time."

In her speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards show, Reid went on to state how important Black Women are to the United States,

“This country is becoming more diverse, whether people like it or not, and so if you want to sell dollies, you’re going to need a Black mermaid, because all the little Black and brown girls want to see themselves in those characters.”

Receiving loud cheers from audience, Reid continued,

“Equity is important because we [Black women] come in knowing we have to be better, more educated, stronger, more prepared than anyone else when we walk into a room. And so we are. And so in each of the spaces that we exist, we tend to be the best."

Giving her strong opinions, Reid clarfied that no one can do anything to reverse diversity in the country (United States),

"Equity is not just equity for us, it’s equity for these companies and organizations that we serve. It makes their organizations better, and inclusion is just reality. There’s nothing you can do to reverse the tide that is making this a more diverse country.”

She further stated that she wants to "alter democracy" in order to prevent further diversification.

“African Americans, who have struggled through loss and lack and enslavement, and Jim Crow… we believe more than anyone in this country in the rights, the freedoms and the Constitution that did not include us.”

---

Joy Reid says "I'm not sorry" in the Win With Black Women Zoom interview on her recent dismissal

The final episode of The ReidOut was telecast on February 27. Joy Reid expressed her emotions in the Win With Black Women Zoom interview about her leaving the show. She told with teary eyes that:

"As you can imagine, I've been through every emotion over the past several days, from anger, rage, disappointment, hurt, and feeling guilt that I let my team lose their jobs."

She continued:

"I am not sorry that I stood up for those things. I'm not sorry; I'm just proud of my show. I'm proud of my little team who the little team that could. I'm so proud of what we did and so grateful that God gave me nearly five years to do it and in total nearly 10 years to do television my way, on my terms."

Reid also added that what she was doing had value. The show is used to cover politics, social issues, and current events. Rachel Maddow, the American TV show host, showed her appreciation towards Reid by adding:

"There is no colleague for whom I've had more affection and more respect than Joy Reid. I've loved everything about her. I've learned so much from her."

She further calls the decision a 'bad mistake' by adding,

"I do not want to lose her as a colleague at MSNBC, and I think it's a bad mistake to let her walk out the door. It is not my call, and I understand that, but that's what I think."

---

Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow were colleagues at MSNBC. As of now, MSNBC will be replacing The ReidOut show with other hosts until a permanent replacement is announced.