‘My Work Is Not Done’ Tiffany Cross Responds To Being Ousted From MSNBC
Tiffany Cross says just because her MSNBC weekend show was canceled, she still has a lot more to do and say.
In a statement from Friday night (Nov. 4), she said that her freewheeling and outspoken style is needed during this more-vicious political climate and indicated she would be continuing her work elsewhere.
“I am disheartened to learn of MSNBC’s decision to cancel my show, ‘The Cross Connection,’ at such a crucial time — four days before the midterm elections,” Cross said, while highlighting the program’s ratings. “And we were intentional about centering marginalized voices of the rising majority — from all communities of color.”
Earlier Friday, MSNBC cut ties with the 43-year-old anchor, telling her production staff of the decision, according to Yahoo. A rotating group of anchors will lead her weekend hours until a replacement for her slot is found. The production staff assigned to her show is reportedly expected to stay in place.
According to people familiar with the situation, on-air back-and-forths between Cross and commentators like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson, who have criticized her views in recent months, sometimes spurring across to retort.
Those close to the situation say MSNBC executives felt the segments were not up to standards, but Cross supporters wonder why the network failed to shield her from criticism as her show was one of MSNBC’s highest-rated during the weekend.
“Fresh off the heels of a ‘racial reckoning,’ as so many have called it, we see that with progress there is always backlash,” Cross said, according to Yahoo. “With a career in media spanning two decades from CNN to BET and MSNBC, I have not only navigated newsrooms but built them as well. With a rapidly changing media landscape, I look forward to maintaining a platform that continues to reflect the changing demographics of the country.”
She added: “We know that now is not the time for politics or journalism as usual. The two years I spent at MSNBC have been disruptive and transformative, changing how politics are discussed and making policy more digestible, I hope. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to create a show the culture would be proud to keep trending every weekend. While this journey ended abruptly, surprising many of us, my work is not done. As political violence has reached a fever pitch, it is becoming inherently more dangerous to speak the truth. But I will not stop. The attacks on me from other outlets and former hosts will never control my narrative.. Thank you to my community and fans for your overwhelming advocacy and support. Thank you to the more than 4.6 million monthly viewers. I am forever in awe of you and so grateful. See you soon!”
MSNBC has not issued a public statement over Cross’ ousting as of this story’s posting Saturday afternoon.
