Advertisement

MSNBC Host Speaks Out, Blames ‘Racial Reckoning’ After Being Axed

Advertisement

OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


Cancelled MSNBC host Tiffany Cross has spoken out after being axed by the network and she is partially blaming a “racial reckoning.”

On Friday night she said that she was disappointed but vowed to continue doing her work.

“I am disheartened to learn of MSNBC’s decision to cancel The Cross Connection, at such a crucial time—four days before the midterm elections. From the beginning, we were intentional about centering communities of color, elevating issues and voices often ignored by the mainstream media, and disrupting the echo chambers. As a result, viewers consistently made The Cross Connection MSNBC’s highest rated weekend show,” she said, Mediaite reported.

“Fresh off the heels of a ‘racial reckoning,’ as so many have called it, we see that with progress there is always backlash. Now is not the time to retreat to politics or Journalism as usual. It is my hope that the last two years at MSNBC have been disruptive and transformative, changing how politics are discussed and making policy more digestible. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to create a show the culture would be proud to keep trending every weekend,” the former host said.

“While this Journey ended abruptly, surprising many of us, my work is not done. Political violence is increasing and it’s becoming inherently more dangerous to speak the truth. But, after more than 20 years in Journalism, I will not stop. The attacks on me from other outlets and former hosts will never control my narrative.

“Thank you to my community and fans for your overwhelming advocacy and support. Thank you to the more than 4.6 million monthly viewers. And thank you to the team who worked so hard each week. I will be forever grateful. See you soon!” she said.

The network cut ties with Cross, who has hosted the Saturday commentary program “Cross Connection,” is leaving MSNBC and her staff was informed of the decision on Friday, Variety reported.

Advertisement

“MSNBC decided not to renew Cross’ contract after two years, according to one of these people, and severed ties with her immediately. A rotating group of anchors will lead her weekend hours until a replacement is found, and the production staff assigned to her show are believed to be likely to stay in place,” the report said.

“There has been speculation that Cross’ relationship with MSNBC was becoming frayed, according to two of these people, with executives at the network growing concerned about the anchor’s willingness to address statements made by cable-news hosts on other networks and indulging in commentary executives felt did not meet the standards of MSNBC or NBC News,” it said.

Last month former Fox News host Megyn Kelly shredded Cross as a “moron” and “dumbass,” calling her “the most racist person on television” for saying that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is black.

“To see all these Black men crashing into each other with a bunch of White owners, White coaches, and the complete disregard for Black bodies and Black life,” the MSNBC host said. “I mean, it just represents a larger issue.”

But the quarterback’s parents are from Samoa and he is not African American, Kelly said.

“He’s not Black. Hello? You dumbass, Tiffany Cross,” the former Fox News host said. “She’s the most racist person on television. It’s amazing. Maybe she just doesn’t see color. Anyway, he’s not Black, but according to her he is. Oh, and by the way, his coach isn’t White either.”

“Oh my God. I’m sorry. I wasn’t planning on starting with this moron Tiffany Cross, but it’s so good,” she said.

Advertisement

“He’s Samoan and his coach is mixed race,” she said. “Had a white parent and a Black parent. So, anyway, he’s not White. I guess in Tiffany’s world that’s White. But in any event, this person sees everything through a ‘it’s racist’ prism.”

Cross responded to the comment by bringing race into it, as is her trademark.

“Yes, I know. Megyn Kelly — the Blackface expert — had a lot to say about me this week based on something I actually never said. So I just want to tell her, you swung and you missed,” she said.

“Please, girl, move on with your life. It’s giving obsessed and honestly, guys, the Jesus and Santa are white lady is not going to claw her way back to social relevance on my show. Besides didn’t I merc her once already?” she said.

In the same show, she also went on a horrific rant against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Test your skills with this Quiz!

“Which brings me to another problematic white woman who warrants some attention this week: Clarence Thomas. On this very day in 1991, ‘Justice Pubic Hair on my Coke Can’ was confirmed to the Supreme Court, and even though we collectively knew how bad it was then, we didn’t know just how problematic Tom would be until now,” she said.

She said that there “are many, many problems with Thomas,” and that the biggest is “his insurrectionist-sympathizing, Jordan Peel Get Out-inspired wife.”

“Sadly we won’t get to see the Real Housewives of Insurrection’s testimony before the January 6th committee, because they reportedly reached an agreement with her to not videotape,” she said.

Advertisement