Fitness personality and podcast host Jillian Michaels sharply criticized former MSNBC host Joy Reid during a Friday episode of her podcast “Keeping It Real,” rejecting Reid’s recent claim that she lost her television platform because of her views on Israel and opposition to the Trump administration.
The exchange comes more than a year after MSNBC canceled Reid’s weeknight program, “The ReidOut,” in February 2025. The cancellation ended Reid’s run at the network, though she has since continued her commentary through “The Joy Reid Show” on YouTube.
Michaels’ remarks were prompted by a recent appearance Reid made at Sunday’s “Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment.” During that event, Reid voiced concerns about the state of journalism in America and argued that media organizations were facing growing pressure.
She also suggested that her own departure from MSNBC was tied to her willingness to challenge President Donald Trump and speak out about what she described as a genocide.
According to Michaels, however, Reid’s explanation ignored what she believes was the real reason behind the network’s decision.
“First of all, Joy, you don’t have a job because your ratings dropped in half before they fired you,” Michaels said during her podcast.
The fitness entrepreneur argued that Reid’s difficulties stemmed from her relationship with viewers rather than her positions on Israel or foreign policy.
“And the reason that your ratings dropped in half, and this may come as a surprise to you because you continue to do it, is because white people who are not racist are sick and tired of you calling them racist,” Michaels said.
She went on to reject the notion that criticism of Israel played a role in Reid’s departure from the network.
“That’s the real answer to why you’re no longer on MSNBC,” Michaels said. “Because I promise you, it isn’t ‘Israel’ or ‘the Jews’ because you call that a genocide.”
Michaels also pointed to other prominent media figures and commentators who have expressed criticism of Israel while continuing to receive major media exposure.
She specifically referenced political streamer Hasan Piker, arguing that individuals with similar viewpoints continue to appear on major media platforms and receive significant attention.
“The left is currently licking the rear end of individuals that do that,” Michaels said, citing Piker’s appearances across major media outlets.
According to Michaels, Reid’s departure was driven by business realities rather than political retaliation.
“It’s because you’re not making them any money,” she said.
Michaels maintained that the ratings decline was ultimately connected to what she described as Reid’s repeated criticism of viewers.
“The reason you’re not making them any money is because you regularly call their viewers racist,” she added.
The exchange highlights the continuing debate surrounding media, politics, and the shifting landscape of television news. Reid’s comments focused on concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists who challenge powerful institutions, while Michaels argued that audience engagement and ratings remain the more important factors in determining who stays on the air.
The disagreement also reflects broader divisions within political media, where questions about Israel, the Trump administration, and the future direction of journalism continue to generate intense debate.
As traditional television networks face mounting competition from podcasts, streaming platforms, and independent media, public figures increasingly find themselves battling not only over politics but also over who gets to define the reasons behind success—or failure—in the modern media landscape.
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