Rachel Maddow’s Monologue on Trump’s Administration Selections
On Monday night, Rachel Maddow commenced her MSNBC show with a poignant and reflective 26-minute monologue. With a mixture of deep sighs and occasional head shakes, Ms. Maddow meticulously examined the individuals President-elect Donald J. Trump had appointed to his forthcoming administration. Her sentiments were decidedly critical of these selections, emphasizing the need to confront these realities head-on.
“It is better to be cleareyed about these things and to see them coming,” she articulated, “than to be in denial or to be surprised by them when they come around.” However, it seems her audience’s reaction was less aligned with her perspective, at least for now.
Despite being the highest-rated program on the liberal network, “The Rachel Maddow Show” attracted only 1.3 million viewers on that Monday, falling approximately a million short of her average viewership for October, as reported by Nielsen. Particularly concerning was the show’s performance in a key demographic—viewers aged 54 and under—where it recorded the lowest ratings since April 2022.
This trend reflects a broader shift occurring at MSNBC in the days following Mr. Trump’s electoral victory. Since Election Day, the network has averaged around 550,000 viewers, marking a significant 39 percent drop compared to its October numbers. Prime time ratings have plummeted by an alarming 53 percent, according to Nielsen data.
In stark contrast, Fox News, MSNBC’s conservative counterpart, has witnessed a surge in viewership. Since last Wednesday, Fox’s prime time audience has increased by 21 percent, averaging 3.3 million viewers, while its total day audience has seen a remarkable 38 percent rise.
As Mr. Trump continues to appoint figures from Fox News to prominent roles within his administration, the network’s coverage has taken on a more exuberant tone. Notably, he has appointed Tom Homan, a Fox News contributor, as his “border czar,” and announced on Tuesday night that Pete Hegseth, a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” would be stepping into the role of defense secretary.
