NBC News backtracks on hiring of top Republican
By Sam Cabral
NBC News has reversed course on the hiring of former Republican leader Ronna McDaniel amid an internal revolt from the US network’s top stars.
Ms McDaniel had been the Republican National Committee chairwoman since 2017 until she was replaced this month at the behest of Donald Trump allies.
NBC said on Friday that it had hired the 51-year-old as the latest paid contributor to its politics coverage.
A network executive has since apologised to staff for the decision.
In an internal email to NBC employees viewed by the BBC announcing the reversal, NBC Universal chairman Cesar Conde issued an apology to “team members who felt we let them down”.
“Our initial decision was because of our deep commitment to presenting our audience with a widely diverse set of viewpoints and experiences, particularly during these consequential times,” Mr Conde’s statement said.
The rebellion began on Sunday shortly after Ms McDaniel debuted in her new role on Meet the Press, a marquee weekend politics show.
During the interview, anchor Kristen Welker directly challenged her for repeating Mr Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
