Loni Love Slams MSNBC for Purging Black Anchors While Keeping White Ones

MSNBC is under fire after a string of high-profile shakeups that have disproportionately affected Black anchors, leaving comedian and talk show host Loni Love questioning the network’s motives.

The recent departures of Joy Reid and Jonathan Capehart, along with the upcoming exit of Lester Holt from NBC Nightly News, have raised serious concerns about racial bias in the network’s staffing decisions.

While MSNBC insists these changes are purely business-related, Loni Love isn’t buying it. She’s calling out the media giant for what she sees as a clear pattern—Black anchors being pushed out while their white counterparts remain untouched.

Loni didn’t hold back when asked about the situation, expressing outrage over MSNBC’s recent staffing decisions. She pointed to the fact that Joy Reid, one of the most prominent Black female voices on cable news, was abruptly removed from the network.

Reid, who hosted The ReidOut, had built a loyal audience and was widely recognized for her sharp political commentary. Despite her success, MSNBC informed employees via email that she was being let go—just days after she posted a heartfelt message thanking her team and viewers.

And it’s not just Reid. Jonathan Capehart, another Black anchor, also saw his show canceled. MSNBC claims they plan to develop a new program for him, but no further details have been provided, making the situation even murkier.

Then there’s Lester Holt, an industry veteran and one of the most respected Black journalists in television, who announced he would be leaving NBC Nightly News this summer. NBCUniversal previously stated that it would be parting ways with MSNBC and other cable channels, but the timing of these moves is raising eyebrows.

While Black anchors are being shown the door, their white counterparts remain firmly in place. Loni Love pointed out this imbalance, saying it’s impossible to ignore.

MSNBC has yet to make similar moves affecting its white on-air talent, which makes it difficult to believe that these changes are purely about ratings or programming adjustments.

The optics are undeniable: the network appears to be shedding Black voices while keeping white ones front and center. Love finds this pattern deeply troubling and isn’t afraid to say that something about it “reeks.”

According to MSNBC, their decisions are based on business needs and programming shifts. But Love—and many others—believe there’s something much bigger happening behind the scenes.

She points out that both Joy Reid and Jonathan Capehart were vocal and unapologetic in their reporting, often addressing issues of race, inequality, and justice in ways that mainstream media rarely does. Their departures raise the question: Is MSNBC deliberately silencing Black voices to cater to a different audience?

Loni doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that the network is keeping its white anchors intact while removing some of the most influential Black journalists.

While MSNBC is staying tight-lipped about its future lineup, Love is urging Joy Reid to take control of her own narrative. She believes Reid has built a brand too strong to be erased and encourages her to launch an independent media venture where she can continue delivering unfiltered news without network restrictions.

Reid has yet to make a formal statement about her next move, but she made it clear in her farewell message that she’s proud of her work and grateful for her audience.

Unlike MSNBC, Loni Love isn’t sugarcoating the situation. She believes Black anchors and journalists deserve the same opportunities as their white colleagues and isn’t afraid to call out networks when it appears they’re prioritizing one over the other.

“I see what’s happening,” she said. “And I’m not the only one. Black voices are being erased, and it’s time we start asking why.”