NBC News has partnered with Salem Radio Network for the third Republican Presidential primary debate next month. Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann shared his disappointment with not only the partnership but the lack of outrage for the network’s on-air hosts.
During Countdown with Keith Olbermann Tuesday, the former cable news host said he wasn’t surprised to hear about the agreement, noting that NBC News was obviously driven by money. However, he shared his disappointment that no one inside the network balked at the idea of partnering with the conservative radio network.
“I must confess I’m still stupid enough to have believed that when this broke that somebody at NBC like Lester (Holt) — who I think wants to be an ethical person — or somebody at MSNBC like Chris Hayes or Lawrence O’Donnell or even (Rachel) Maddow would stand up and say ‘Nope. I’m out’,” Olbermann said.
He continued by noting that Maddow has a moral obligation to oppose the partnership.
“At what point do you realize that by sitting there shilling for this company that just did a deal with the platformers of Charlie Kirk, Nick Fuentes, and Andrew freaking Tate you become Charlie Kirk, Nick Fuentes, and Andrew freaking Tate? When it’s mixed in there with those scum, how much money does it cost you to buy your soul back? For god’s sake, Rachel, say something. Your voice still matters. Then again, I’m assuming it’s still your voice.”
Olbermann wasn’t the only critic of the announcement Monday. CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy slammed the pairing, calling Salem Radio Network a “stable of MAGA media personalities” and “right-wing figures who have espoused incendiary views, pushed conspiracy theories, and told outright lies about the 2020 election”.
NBC News reporter Ben Collins joked on X, formerly Twitter, that he loves “my new business partners Glenn Greenwald and Dinesh D’Souza”.
