Katie Phang spoke out on social media Monday after MSNBC canceled The Katie Phang Show. She said she was "stunned" by the decision and implied that racial factors played a role. The cancellation came on the same day that other high-profile hosts, including Joy Reid, were let go as part of a massive network overhaul.
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Phang expressed disappointment in a statement posted to X. She emphasized her pride in giving AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) voices more visibility than any other cable show.
"I was proud to platform more AAPI voices than any other cable show ever," Phang wrote. She also noted that, as one of the few AAPI hosts with her name on a major show, she helped bring vital representation to the network. "Representation matters," she added.
Phang Staying as MSNBC Correspondent
Phang will stay with MSNBC, but her new role will be as a legal correspondent. She will no longer anchor a show. This change follows a broader restructuring of MSNBC's daytime, primetime, and weekend programming, led by Rebecca Kutler, the network president. The reshuffle affected several non-white anchors, with Phang being among them.
Joy Reid, the host of The ReidOut, was another major name to lose her show in the shake-up. In a tearful message, Reid expressed a mix of emotions, including anger and guilt over the layoffs of her team. "I've been through every emotion," she said. "But in the end, where I really land and where I've landed on today is just gratitude."
Reid is reportedly considering a new venture on Substack after her departure from MSNBC. This massive programming change signals a shift in MSNBC's strategy, both in terms of talent and content.
