Rachel Maddow is bringing viewers back to MSNBC -- and giving them hope.

[pnwmom]

Source: Washington Post

"We will get through all of this together. You and me."

That was how MSNBC host Rachel Maddow ended her show on Jan. 20, hours after President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term. He's back, and so is she, in her old prime-time spot, setting a template for how her left-leaning audience -- and her left-leaning network -- could survive, and resist, what's ahead during the next four years.

"More than ever, this is not a time to pretend this isn't happening," she said that night. "You are going to want to have a good answer when you get asked what you did for your country when your country started to take a turn this radical. We are here, it is happening in our lifetimes, while we are citizens responsible for the fate of our country. All hands on deck."

Throughout the week, Maddow highlighted examples of pushback to Trump's numerous initial executive orders and actions, including his decision to pardon more than 1,500 people who were charged with crimes in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2025/01/28/rachel-maddow-msnbc-return-ratings/

---

The plan announced is for her to be the host for the first 100 days of the new administration. So far her ratings have been more than 60% higher than the three weeks before.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. I am watching Rachel every night

Tonight, Rachel had a good segment of an asshole named Curtis Yarvin

Link to tweet

[Eyeball_Kid]

5. So... what's in Yarvin's closet?? n/t

[jls4561]

26. Dunno. But it's not Clearasil.

[Vinca]

18. That was a really interesting segment. I'd never heard of this loony tune before, but it seems as if Trump

is trying to do exactly what this crazed Incel is suggesting - just do away with the entire government and install a dictator.

[elleng]

3. Interesting this made it to WaPo.

[badhair77]

4. I agree.

I’ve been watching Rachel every night and learn something new and hang not some hope. Lawrence is going to town on RFK, Jr tonight. He’s worth a watch. I wish he were on earlier, same with Steph Ruhle.

[yankee87]

6. Watch online

No one should ever watch MSNBC again. If you like someone there, watch online instead.

[pnwmom]

9. That doesn't make sense to me. I don't think we should cede all the networks to Trump. nt

[johnnyplankton]

16. Why?

[forgotmylogin]

20. You can also subscribe to the Rachel Maddow show podcast

You'll get the important stuff such as the Tim Walz interview.

[Hekate]

7. Kick

[Mawspam2]

8. She's there for the next three months...

...then what? MSNBC is already cutting salaries and staff for the Spinco sell-off. The staff at F-WP, FTF-NYT, F-LAT and F-CNN are all quiting or getting fired. Local papers have either shut down, been gobbled up by Warren Buffett, or don't have the reach, size, or influence they once had. Same with local TV. Magazines are not immediate, and don't have any reach anymore.

All "social media" has been corrupted by tech-bro oligarchs. At some point, Bluesky will succumb to evil money, like they all do.

Are we really back to pirate radio on short wave from ships in international waters?

[pnwmom]

10. If we bring her numbers up enough, maybe they'll keep her and she'll help save the station. nt

[elleng]

11. Maybe, but she may not want to stay there for much longer;

she has 'issues' that suggest some fragility.

[electric_blue68]

12. What do you mean?

[no_hypocrisy]

13. And that's why Trump wants to Deep Six her.

He has a collection of media scalps and wants to add to them.

Joe & Mika
ABC News
Jim Acosta
Paul Krugman
Ann Telnaes
Jennifer Rubin

IMO, it's the HOPE that Trump fears. Hope that his tenure is limited and ineffective.

[electric_blue68]

14. My suggestion? Support Brian Leher on WNYC-AM/FM if in the NY/NJ/CN Tri State area, or catch him on pod cast? Tune-In...

Radio. 820AM, ?92 3 FM 20 - Noon. He might be Public Radio syndicated now. Yeah, I know, some have issues with NPR, but he's speaking truth.

He's done good segments on drumphf's Cabinate nominations, DEI, Panama, and more. It's very late, so "yawn" my memory.

Not your typical MSM person.
Started calling drumphf a "liar", several months in first term after using substitute words.

[Paladin]

15. "All hands on deck."

God knows, Rachel won't be awarded a presidential medal by the current regime. But she's damn sure entitled to such an honor, for the work she's doing right now. It is time for all good Democrats to shake off the depression and get back in the fight. Thank you, Rachel, for the inspiration.

[Vinca]

17. They need to bring Jim Acosta on board, too.

[Kaleva]

19. Which equates to very few people watching MSNBC

A 60% increase in a low single digit number comes out to a low single digit number

[LetMyPeopleVote]

21. Rachel was great last night

Link to tweet

[Ladythatvotesblue]

22. Rachel

Has brought me back to MSNBC.
Now they need to fill Andrea Mitchells noon time spot with JIM ACOSTA.

Love Rachel! She is the best at explaining all this to the public.

[FakeNoose]

23. That's a great idea - Jim Acosta getting Andrea Mitchell's noontime show

However I think that several people are waiting in the wings - like Ali Velshi for example. Perhaps Velshi and Acosta could team up for a news hour? That would be awesome.

[Emile]

24. I watch it after I record it. Depends

on what other TV shows that may be on.

[Happy Hoosier]

25. I need to find a way to watch her

I've cut the cable cord, but I think Maddow is brillinat. She is one of my heros.

[maxsolomon]

27. Not this viewer.

It's all still too traumatic to wallow in it every night. I'd rather go sit in my hot tub and look at the stars.

[pnwmom]

28. As long as you're not one of the people here who are complaining that Democrats aren't doing anything,

even though they're cutting themselves off from sources that would show them Democrats ARE speaking out.

[maxsolomon]

29. LOL, I've never been one of those.

I understand what power Dems have right now.