Intro

Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC was short. The former Republican National Committee chairwoman was hired as an on-air political commentator but released just days later after an on-air revolt by the network’s leading stars.

Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The Times, discusses the saga and what it might reveal about the state of television news heading into the 2024 presidential race.

Guest: Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Ms. McDaniel’s appointment had been immediately criticized by reporters at the network and by viewers on social media.
• The former Republican Party leader tried to downplay her role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A review of the record shows she was involved in some key episodes.

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