On Friday (Nov. 4), MSNBC seemingly out of the blue announced that it would not be renewing its contract with Tiffany Cross. Despite the accomplished Black woman’s strong rating for her weekend show, The Cross Connection, the news outlet choosing to cut ties with her just before midterm elections has Black Twitter calling out the jig.
Variety reports that Cross’ production staff was notified of the decision on Friday morning. Reportedly, MSNBC, which is owned by NBCUniversal, decided not to renew her contract after two years, immediately.
If you follow Cross whether on television or social media, you know she’s not one to mince words. Apparently, this caused concern with the MSNBC higher-ups despite strong ratings that include the show reporting a 32% increase in viewership among the 25-54 demographic in the first quarter of 2022.
Per Variety:
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.
Recently, Cross had refused to back down in “feuds” with conservative blowhards like Blackface expert Megan Kelly and racist superhero Tucker Carlson from FOX News. But, early speculation is that it was Cross’ recent appearance on Charlamagne Tha God’s Comedy Central talk show, Hell of a Week with Charlemagne, that sparked her ouster.
“Florida literally looks like the d*ck of the country, so let’s get rid of Florida,” said Cross when asked what state could Dems afford to lose during “One’s Gotta Go” segment on midterm elections. “Let’s castrate Florida.” If you watch the entire segment, Cross kicked nothing but facts about Ron DeSantis and his constant tomfoolery. Truth hurts?
In another portion of the show, Cross addressed the GOP’s move to right-wing extremism when discussing the attack of Nancy Pelosi’s husband and also noted that FOX News is a propaganda network when fellow panelists Joe Coscarelli tried to equate the brand with MSNBC. Ironically, that didn’t stop the latter from essentially firing her.
Cross issued a statement on Friday evening. “I am disheartened to learn of MSNBC’s decision to cancel my show, ‘The Cross Connection,’ at such a crucial time — four days before the midterm elections,” said Cross noting her shows good ratings. “And we were intentional about centering marginalized voices of the rising majority — from all communities of color.”
She added, “Fresh off the heels of a ‘racial reckoning,’ as so many have called it, we see that with progress there is always backlash,” said Cross. “With a career in media spanning two decades from CNN to BET and MSNBC, I have not only navigated newsrooms but built them as well. With a rapidly changing media landscape, I look forward to maintaining a platform that continues to reflect the changing demographics of the country.”
Read her entire statement below. Check out Black Twitter strong reaction to the jig, with many fellow journalists of color rallying to support her, in the gallery.
1.
I’m outraged by the news that @MSNBC is ending @TiffanyDCross’ brilliant show #CrossConnection. It’s the highest-rated weekend show. Tiffany’s departure looks even funnier in the light because it comes after she rightly criticized white supremacist poster boy Tucker Carlson.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) November 4, 2022
2.
Musk/Twitter is sucking up the media news oxygen, but msnbc abruptly canceling its highest rated weekend show – days before midterms – amidst bad faith harassment campaign against @TiffanyDCross led by Tucker Carlson is a much bigger story than current level of coverage suggests
— Wesley (@WesleyLowery) November 4, 2022
3.
Thank you for all the well wishes during this difficult time for my family. I can't respond all of you, but please know I appreciate it.
I'm back to say that I'm voting early today and encourage others to do so.
But, since I'm here, let's talk about @TiffanyDCross
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) November 5, 2022
4.
Tiffany Cross…”And Still I Rise”. You know the rest @TiffanyDCross pic.twitter.com/N0t4zizmUW
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) November 5, 2022
5.
By firing #TiffanyCross two wks after she was targeted by Tucker Carlson, @MSNBC has further empowered a dangerous man who has a huge platform, emboldening him to target others.Many of us have had our turn as Tucker’s target of the night & endured the response of his minions.
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) November 5, 2022
6.
I promise you this will not stand with all the Black folks who celebrate, support and enjoy @TiffanyDCross and @CrossConnection.
SHE was our weekly destination on @msnbc for REAL talk about REAL issues.
And trust this #MSNBC we KNOW who made this decision.
We see YOU “sis”. https://t.co/7x4WKBL052
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) November 4, 2022
7.
No idea about any of this– I haven't had any connection to "media-outlet-that-shall-not-be-named" since 2016.
One thing is certain– @TiffanyDCross will always have my support and solidarity. Proud of what she's accomplished. Excited to see what she'll do next.
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) November 4, 2022
8.
The Tiffany Cross News has me HOTTTTTT. That’s a brilliant Black woman. She’s a rock star. She’s worked HARD. Done all the things. EARNED her place many times over
— 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 (@exavierpope) November 4, 2022
9.
We love you @TiffanyDCross and @CrossConnection was a light for us and the nation. You brought truth and insight to disrupting the echo chamber. We are with you! https://t.co/to2W0fgccR
— Maya Wiley (@mayawiley) November 5, 2022
10.
Can someone explain to me how NBC can justify firing Tiffany Cross while employing Chuck Todd?
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) November 4, 2022
11. Headlines matter.
1) Tiffany Cross was not "controversial"; she upset fragile, racist white people.
2) This is an embarrassing failure by a network that still employs a useless Chuck Todd and an Andrea Mitchell who literally fell asleep on air https://t.co/RiqCcTuyTk
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) November 4, 2022
12.
I can’t make ANY sense of a world where MSNBC’s #TiffanyCross is FIRED for being “controversial,” while FOX’s #TuckerCarlson is PAID to make racism profitably controversial.
Tiffany Cross is to Tucker Carlson what Raphael Warnock is Herschel Walker.
What a massive loss. pic.twitter.com/8QpV9J9cDn
— Rev. & Prof. Cornell William Brooks (@CornellWBrooks) November 5, 2022
13.
This is @nbcnews chairman @cesarconde_ offering a sacrifice to the right wing mob. @FoxNews complained to NBC management about Cross quoting them – so out she goes.
My old friend Jeff Shell has run @msnbc into the ground https://t.co/Q5XoEOZVvw
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) November 4, 2022
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