Trump: 'MSNBC Is a Failure by Any Name' (Connecting the Dots: The Comcast Corporation, MSNBC & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Trump: 'MSNBC Is a Failure by Any Name' (Connecting the Dots: The Comcast Corporation, MSNBC & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Newsmax.com

By Eric Mack    |   Thursday, 21 August 2025 08:20 AM EDT

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/msnbc-failure-ms-now/2025/08/21/id/1223365/

President Donald Trump took a victory lap on mocking the rebranded MS NOW for its name change this week, calling it a desperate attempt "to get away from the stench of their fake news" and "disassociate" from the "garbage that they created."

"MSNBC is doing so poorly in the ratings that they are looking to change their name in order to get away from the stench of their fake news product," Trump wrote in an all-caps Truth Social post early Thursday. "So much fun to watch their weak and ineffective owner, 'Concast,' headed by dopey Brian Roberts, hopelessly and aimlessly flailing in the wind in an attempt to disassociate itself from the garbage that they created!

"MSNBC is a failure by any name!!!"

MSNBC announced its rebranding in the most dramatic identity shift in its nearly three-decade history. Later this year, the left-leaning cable network will drop the NBC brand and Peacock logo, relaunching as MS NOW — shorthand for My Source News Opinion World. The change is part of Comcast's plan to spin off its cable properties into a standalone entity, Versant, under CEO Mark Lazarus.

Executives argue the move will clarify distinctions between NBC News' straight-news operations and MS NOW's opinion-driven programming.

Leftists are outraged.

Progressive staffers and loyal viewers vented online and internally, with some calling the rebrand a "demotion" that strips MSNBC of the prestige long tied to the NBC name.

"MS is the new BS," one employee quipped.

Conservatives, meanwhile, have cheered the shift as evidence of decline. Nicknames like "Most Surely No One Watching" and "Majorly Skewed News Overly Woke" have ricocheted through social media.

The numbers underscore MSNBC's struggle.

In the first quarter of 2025, the channel averaged 593,000 total day viewers and just 57,000 in the key 25–54 demographic. Apart from Rachel Maddow's prime-time program, few MSNBC shows crack the top tier of cable news ratings.

Analysts warn the rebrand could backfire, making the network appear diminished at a time when cord-cutting and digital disruption are already eating into its audience. Still, network president Rebecca Kutler insists MS NOW will remain true to its editorial mission, backed by a major marketing push.

"This gives us the opportunity to chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities and establish an independent news organization," Lazarus wrote in a memo to employees, The New York Times reported.

Kutler acknowledged the weight of the change in her own note to staff.

"For many of you who have spent years or decades here, it is hard to imagine the network by any other name," she wrote, adding that the decision followed "significant debate."

She emphasized that the rebrand would not alter the network's editorial mission.

"While our name will be changing, who we are and what we do will not," she said, the Times reported.

Connecting the Dots:

Eduardo G. Mestre is a director at the Comcast Corporation and a director at the International Rescue Committee.

Harold E. Ford Jr. is a political commentator for MSNBC and was an overseer at the International Rescue Committee.

Tom Brokaw is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and was an anchor for the NBC Nightly News.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee and the Center for American Progress.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a supporter for the Center for American Progress and is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Comcast Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Steven J. Spinner was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the president of strategic partnerships for NBC.

Apple Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

AT&T Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Bank of America Corp. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

BMW of North America LLC was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Citigroup Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Coca-Cola Company was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Facebook was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

General Electric Company was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Bailout Company) was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Motion Picture Association of America was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

PepsiCo, Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

PG&E Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Samsung Electronics Co. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Time Warner Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

T-Mobile USA, Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Toyota Motor North America was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Visa Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Wells Fargo & Co. was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Carol M. Browner is a director, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and was the energy czar for the Barack Obama administration.

Tom Daschle is a director at the Center for American Progress and was the nominee for health and human services secretary for the Barack Obama administration.

Ezekiel Emanuel is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and was the health care policy adviser for the Barack Obama administration.

Lawrence H. Summers is a distinguished fellow at the Center for American Progress and was the National Economic Council chairman for the Barack Obama administration.

Cassandra Q. Butts was the SVP for the Center for American Progress and the deputy White House counsel for the Barack Obama administration.

Philip J. Crowley was the director of homeland security at the Center for American Progress and the assistant secretary of state for the Barack Obama administration.

Derek Douglas was an associate director of economic policy at the Center for American Progress and a special assistant for urban affairs for the Barack Obama administration.

Bradley J. Kiley was a VP for the Center for American Progress and the director of management and administration for the Barack Obama administration.

Karen Kornbluh was a visiting scholar at the Center for American Progress and a policy director for Barack Obama.

Jeanne Lambrew was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and is the deputy assistant to the president for health policy for the Barack Obama administration.

Denis McDonough was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and is the chief of staff; former deputy national security adviser for the Barack Obama administration.

Esther M. Olavarria was the director of immigration policy at the Center for American Progress and is the deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Barack Obama administration.

Dan Restrepo was the Americas Project director at the Center for American Progress and a special assistant to the president for the Barack Obama administration.

Gene B. Sperling was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and is the assistant to the president for economic policy for the Barack Obama administration.

Todd Stern was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and is the special envoy for climate change at the U.S. Department of State for the Barack Obama administration.

Melody C. Barnes was the EVP for the Center for American Progress the domestic policy council, director for the Barack Obama administration and is Barack Obama’s golf partner.

Jose H. Villarreal is a director at the Center for American Progress and a senior adviser at the Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP.

Savannah Guthrie was an attorney for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and is a co-host for Today.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was a funder for the Center for American Progress. 

Comcast Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society. 

Judith Rodin was an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and is a director at the Comcast Corporation.

Comcast Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and a supporter for the Center for American Progress.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress and the Sundance Institute.

Karen J. Lauder was a trustee at the Sundance Institute and a trustee at New York Restoration Project.

Alfred R. Kahn was a trustee at the New York Restoration Project and acquired 133 E. 64th St. (New York).

Matt Lauer is a coop owner at 133 E. 64th St. (New York) and was a co-host for Today.

Today is an NBC program.

Robert Redford is the founder & president of the Sundance Institute and a partner with the Sundance Channel.

Sundance Channel is a partner with NBCUniversal.

NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of NBC and a partner with the Sundance Channel.

Jeff Zucker was the president & CEO for NBCUniversal, was an executive producer for Today and is a director emeritus for the Robin Hood Foundation.  

Today is an NBC program.

Katie Couric was a co-host for Today, is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a director at the Robin Hood Foundation.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and the Robin Hood Foundation.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Clifford S. Asness was a leadership council member at the Robin Hood Foundation and is a director at the International Rescue Committee.

Tom Brokaw is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and was an anchor for the NBC Nightly News.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Harold E. Ford Jr. was an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and is a political commentator for MSNBC.

Morning Joe is an MSNBC program.

Steven L. Rattner is a frequent guest on Morning Joe and was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society. 

Judith Rodin was an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and is a director at the Comcast Corporation.

Comcast Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and a supporter for the Center for American Progress.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress and the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was a funder for the Center for American Progress. 

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle, a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and was the president of the Economic Club of Washington.

Valerie B. Jarrett is Vernon E. Jordan Jr’s great niece, the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Meredith Attwell Baker is a director at the Economic Club of Washington and was a commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Amy L. Nathan was an attorney at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and is a senior counsel, strategic planning & policy analysis for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Kathleen Q. Abernathy was a partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and a commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Jose H. Villarreal is a senior adviser at the Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and a director at the Center for American Progress.

Comcast Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and a supporter for the Center for American Progress.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was a funder for the Center for American Progress. 

Savannah Guthrie was an attorney for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and is a co-host for Today.

Today is an NBC program.

Katie Couric was a co-host for Today, is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a director at the Robin Hood Foundation.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and the Robin Hood Foundation.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Clifford S. Asness was a leadership council member at the Robin Hood Foundation and is a director at the International Rescue Committee.

Tom Brokaw is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and was an anchor for the NBC Nightly News.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Harold E. Ford Jr. was an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and is a political commentator for MSNBC.

Morning Joe is an MSNBC program.

The Rachel Maddow Show is an MSNBC program.

Rachel Maddow is the host of The Rachel Maddow Show.

Up Late With Alec Baldwin was an MSNBC program.

Alec Baldwin was the host for Up Late With Alec Baldwin and is a director at People for the American Way.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the People for the American Way.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Norman Lear is a director at People for the American Way and married to Lyn Davis Lear.

Lyn Davis Lear is married to Norman Lear and a trustee at the Sundance Institute.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Sundance Institute.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society. 

Karen J. Lauder was a trustee at the Sundance Institute and a trustee at New York Restoration Project.

Alfred R. Kahn was a trustee at the New York Restoration Project and acquired 133 E. 64th St. (New York).

Matt Lauer is a coop owner at 133 E. 64th St. (New York) and was a co-host for Today.

Today is an NBC program.

Robert Redford is the founder & president of the Sundance Institute and a partner with the Sundance Channel.

Sundance Channel is a partner with NBCUniversal.

NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of NBC and a partner with the Sundance Channel.

Jeff Zucker was the president & CEO for NBCUniversal, was an executive producer for Today and is a director emeritus for the Robin Hood Foundation.  

Today is an NBC program.

Katie Couric was a co-host for Today, is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a director at the Robin Hood Foundation.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and the Robin Hood Foundation.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Clifford S. Asness was a leadership council member at the Robin Hood Foundation and is a director at the International Rescue Committee.

Tom Brokaw is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and was an anchor for the NBC Nightly News.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Harold E. Ford Jr. was an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and is a political commentator for MSNBC.

Morning Joe is an MSNBC program.

Steven L. Rattner is a frequent guest on Morning Joe and was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society. 

Judith Rodin was an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and is a director at the Comcast Corporation.

Comcast Corporation was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and a supporter for the Center for American Progress.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Resources: Past Research

FCC's Carr to Probe Comcast's 'Invidious' Discrimination (Connecting the Dots: Comcast, NBCUniversal, The Sundance Channel, The Center for American Progress & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on Comcast)

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2025/02/fccs-carr-to-probe-comcasts-invidious.html

GE, Walmart, AT&T, Google Among Center for American Progress Donors (Past Research on the Center for American Progress)

Saturday, December 14, 2013

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/12/ge-walmart-at-google-among-center-for.html

Comcast Spins Off NBCUniversal Cable Channels in $7B Move (Connecting the Dots: NBCUniversal, MSNBC, The Comcast Corporation & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on Comcast)

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2024/11/comcast-spins-off-nbcuniversal-cable.html

Smaller Bites – Today (Connecting the Dots: Today, Savannah Guthrie, NBC & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on Today)

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2023/01/smaller-bites-today-connecting-dots.html

Foreign Policy Mag Blames Obama, Rachel Maddow for Ugandan Gay Law's Passage (Past Research on MSNBC & Rachel Maddow)

Thursday, March 6, 2014

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2014/03/foreign-policy-mag-blames-obama-rachel.html

Alec Baldwin Threatens Trump Impersonator (Connecting the Dots: Alec Baldwin, People for the American Way, Saturday Night Live, MSNBC & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on Alec Baldwin)

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2025/02/alec-baldwin-threatens-trump.html