Megyn Kelly Reacts to Joy Reid’s Departure from MSNBC: “We Won’t Have Her to Kick Around Anymore”

In a moment that stunned many in the cable news world, Joy Reid’s exit from MSNBC has officially been confirmed—and reactions have been flooding in from all corners of the media.

Among the most notable voices to weigh in on the bombshell news was former Fox News anchor and current podcast host Megyn Kelly, who offered a characteristically candid and layered take on Reid’s sudden departure.

Kelly, never one to mince words, expressed what some are calling a “bittersweet celebration” as she reflected on Reid’s polarizing career and controversial legacy.

While many expected Kelly to unleash a scathing tirade against her longtime ideological opponent, the former The Kelly File host surprised some viewers by injecting a moment of reflection, stating, “We won’t have her to kick around anymore.

There’s a little sadness in that.” Her comments, which were made on the latest episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, instantly went viral, sparking a new wave of debate about the future of progressive media and what Reid’s exit symbolizes for MSNBC.

This article takes a comprehensive look at Joy Reid’s departure, the history of her clashes with Megyn Kelly, and the broader implications of her exit from one of America’s most influential cable news networks.

Joy Reid’s Exit from MSNBC: What We Know So Far

MSNBC has not released a detailed explanation regarding Joy Reid’s departure, but internal sources suggest that mounting controversies, declining ratings, and shifting network priorities all played a role.

Reid, who hosted The ReidOut, was known for her unapologetically progressive takes on politics, culture, race, and gender.

Her show, launched in July 2020, was originally seen as a powerful symbol of diversity in cable news, with Reid becoming the first Black woman to anchor a primetime news program on MSNBC.

However, Reid’s tenure was marred by ongoing controversies, including the resurfacing of inflammatory blog posts, accusations of homophobia, and heated on-air clashes with conservative figures.

Despite surviving earlier attempts at cancellation, insiders report that MSNBC executives have been under increasing pressure to reevaluate their lineup amid the rise of new digital media competitors and changing audience preferences.

One executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: “Joy brought passion and energy to MSNBC’s lineup, but we’ve reached a point where the network is pivoting in a different direction—one that focuses on less division and more accessible journalism.”

Megyn Kelly’s Reaction: Celebration, Sarcasm, and Subtle Sadness

Megyn Kelly, a former anchor for Fox News and NBC, used her SiriusXM podcast to respond to the headline-grabbing news.

Known for her sharp-tongued critiques and cultural commentary, Kelly has had several high-profile clashes with MSNBC figures, and Joy Reid has often been one of her primary targets.

“She’s gone,” Kelly said, opening her remarks with a tone that blended amusement and mild disbelief.

“Can you believe it? Joy Reid, MSNBC’s queen of racial division and social justice spin, is no longer gracing our television screens at 7 p.m. Eastern.”

Yet it was her next line that caught many listeners by surprise.

“You know, as much as I’ve disagreed with her, as much as she’s made a career out of demonizing people like me and half the country, I’ll admit—there’s a little sadness in that.

We won’t have her to kick around anymore.”

The phrase “kick around anymore” is a well-known reference to Richard Nixon’s infamous remark during his 1962 press conference after losing the California gubernatorial race.

Kelly’s invocation of that line was no accident; it was a sly nod to Reid’s embattled history and her role as a lightning rod in America’s culture wars.

The Long-Standing Feud Between Megyn Kelly and Joy Reid

Megyn Kelly and Joy Reid have been trading barbs for years. Their ideological differences—Reid being a staunch progressive and Kelly a self-described independent conservative—often erupted into public battles, particularly during the Trump presidency and the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In 2018, Reid mocked Kelly for her infamous blackface Halloween segment that led to Kelly’s exit from NBC.

“We don’t need a history lesson on racism from someone who doesn’t understand why blackface is offensive,” Reid said at the time on her show.

Kelly, in turn, accused Reid of hypocrisy, referencing Reid’s old blog posts that contained allegedly homophobic remarks.

“The fact that Joy Reid still has a job at MSNBC says everything you need to know about their moral compass,” Kelly tweeted in 2019.

Their feud became symbolic of the larger ideological war playing out on America’s cable news screens—two highly educated, media-savvy women battling over the soul of public discourse.

Joy Reid’s Polarizing Legacy

Despite being a lightning rod for controversy, Joy Reid cultivated a loyal base of supporters who admired her tenacity, intellect, and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about race and inequality in America.

Supporters praised her for giving voice to marginalized communities and holding powerful institutions accountable.

“Joy told it like it is—she didn’t care who got offended,” one fan tweeted following news of her departure. “We’ll miss her courage and clarity.”

But her critics argue that Reid too often resorted to divisive rhetoric and identity politics, alienating viewers who didn’t fit her ideological mold.

Megyn Kelly herself pointed to this dichotomy in her remarks.

“She became predictable,” Kelly said. “If a story involved race, you knew where Joy Reid was going to go.

And that’s not journalism. That’s activism dressed up as news.”

MSNBC’s Future Without Joy Reid

With Reid’s departure, MSNBC now faces questions about its programming strategy heading into the 2024 election cycle and beyond.

Will the network continue to lean into progressive commentary, or will it shift toward more centrist, mainstream content to appeal to a broader audience?

Some media analysts believe Reid’s exit signals a deeper change within MSNBC.

“This is not just about one anchor leaving,” said Dr. Ellen Marks, a journalism professor at NYU. “This is a moment of reckoning. MSNBC has to decide who they are in a post-Trump, fragmented media world.”

Already, there is speculation about who might replace Reid in the 7 p.m. slot.

Names like Alicia Menendez, Mehdi Hasan, and even returning veterans like Chris Hayes are being floated. But sources close to the network caution that MSNBC is looking for “fresh energy” and a “less polarizing voice.”

Megyn Kelly’s Strategic Positioning in the Post-Reid Era

With Reid off the air, Kelly now finds herself without one of her most visible foils.

For years, Kelly has used Reid as a punchline and a cautionary tale about “woke extremism.” Now, she may need to shift her focus.

“She was the gift that kept on giving,” Kelly quipped. “But don’t worry, folks, the media still has plenty of ideologues.”

Some commentators believe Kelly’s tone was more than sarcastic; it was strategic.

“Megyn knows the value of a worthy adversary,” said cultural analyst Bryan Fields. “And whether she liked her or not, Joy Reid gave her that. With Reid gone, Kelly loses a rhetorical punching bag that energized her base.”

The Broader Media Landscape: What Reid’s Departure Means for Political Journalism

The reaction to Joy Reid’s departure underscores the increasingly tribal nature of American media.

For many viewers, cable news has become less about information and more about affirmation.

Joy Reid represented a particular brand of liberal affirmation, just as Megyn Kelly represents a different flavor of conservative critique.

“This isn’t just about MSNBC or Megyn Kelly,” said media critic Janice Hollingsworth.

“It’s about how news consumption has become performative. Personalities like Reid and Kelly become avatars for deeper cultural anxieties.”

Indeed, some worry that Reid’s departure could discourage other women of color from seeking high-profile media roles, fearing that they too will be chewed up by the outrage machine.

But others argue that this could be a moment for reinvention.

“Cable news is overdue for a shake-up,” said broadcast veteran Ray Martinez.

“Maybe this is the start of something new—where journalism gets back to facts and away from performance art.”

Social Media Reacts to Kelly’s “Kick Around” Comment

As expected, Megyn Kelly’s comments about Reid ignited a firestorm on social media.

Some called her remarks disrespectful; others praised her for being brutally honest.

“Megyn Kelly is being sarcastic, but also kind of classy,” one user posted. “She could’ve gone for the jugular and didn’t. That’s growth.”

But others weren’t so generous. “Kelly acting like she’s mourning Reid’s exit is laughable.

This is performative gloating, nothing more,” wrote progressive commentator Nina Turner.

The End of a Chapter, the Start of Another?

Love her or loathe her, Joy Reid was undeniably a major figure in the cable news ecosystem.

Her exit marks the end of a specific chapter in MSNBC’s history—one defined by fiery commentary, cultural clashes, and nightly debates that energized and enraged viewers alike.

Megyn Kelly, for her part, seems ready to move on—but not without acknowledging the strange emptiness left behind by her frequent sparring partner.

“In this business,” Kelly concluded, “we need people who challenge us, even if we think they’re wrong.

Joy Reid did that—for better or worse. But she’s gone now. And yeah, there’s a little sadness in that.”

As the cable news world recalibrates and audiences brace for another turbulent election cycle, one thing remains clear: the ideological battlefield may shift, but the war for influence and ratings is far from over.