The 2024 U.S. presidential election left behind a fractured political landscape and a trail of disillusionment—not just among voters, but also within media institutions that had long positioned themselves as champions of liberal causes. One of the most notable casualties is MSNBC, which is now being spun off from NBC and forced to operate independently. This seismic shift stems from a significant drop in viewership, driven by both a loss of public trust and relentless criticism from Donald Trump and his political machine.
MSNBC’s coverage leading up to and following the election has come under intense scrutiny. Whether the network deliberately maintained the narrative that Vice President Kamala Harris was leading—or whether they themselves were blindsided by internal polling and wishful thinking—is ultimately irrelevant. What matters is that their core audience, composed largely of Democrats and progressives, felt betrayed. The sense of being misled or placated with false hope turned loyal viewers into skeptics. In the wake of the election’s outcome, they turned away from the network in droves.
In failing to acknowledge this disconnect, MSNBC missed a critical opportunity. There was no formal apology, no moment of reckoning to rebuild trust. The network should have pivoted immediately—offering transparency, admitting misjudgements, and refocusing on holding Democratic leadership accountable. Instead, MSNBC appeared out of touch, offering more of the same commentary while its audience was demanding urgency, introspection, and a new strategic direction.
Worse still, the network failed to champion the kind of rigorous, internal critique necessary for political evolution. Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries were allowed to coast, even as many rank-and-file Democrats demanded more aggressive, coherent, and inspiring leadership. The progressive wing—most notably figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders—remains among the few voices calling for bold action. Yet these voices are often marginalized, both in the political arena and in mainstream coverage.
To regain relevance and fulfil their mission, MSNBC and other liberal institutions must commit to a more confrontational, grassroots-driven approach. This includes:
- Mobilizing Civic Action: Encouraging large-scale protests, coordinated strikes, and civil disobedience to put pressure on lawmakers and shape the national conversation. Silence and complacency are no longer options.
- Strategic Messaging: Adopting powerful rhetoric and focusing on emotionally resonant wedge issues to energize the Democratic base. Though it risks further polarization, it is a necessary counter to the firebrand tactics employed by the right.
- Media Ecosystem Realignment: Using allied platforms to amplify progressive messages, challenge opponents, and reframe the political narrative. This might require embracing a hybrid model of journalism and advocacy to match conservative media in influence.
- Combating Disinformation: Taking a proactive stance against misinformation, including through controversial but potentially necessary tools like content moderation and media accountability campaigns. This battle over truth is existential.
- Constitutional Reform: Pushing for structural change through constitutional amendments that guarantee key rights—such as voting access, reproductive autonomy, and campaign finance reform. While daunting, this long-term effort is essential for preserving democracy.
Ultimately, the Democratic Party needs a figurehead—someone with the charisma, clarity, and courage to directly counter Trump’s narrative and rhetoric. This leader must emerge now, not months before the 2028 election. Time is a luxury Democrats no longer have, and the rebuilding of both trust and strategy must begin immediately.
