The Writers Guild of America East responded to what it called “mass layoffs” at MSNBC Tuesday, slamming the “devastating” move at the liberal news network as an irresponsible decision while democracy is “under attack” by the Trump Administration.
“News of layoffs comes against the backdrop of the President of the United States making direct threats against MSNBC, among other news outlets, and at a time when it has never been more crucial to have a fully staffed newsroom to cover a democracy under attack,” a statement from the union obtained by TheWrap said.
The union said that layoffs of 99 staffers across nine different shows began rolling out this week — as seen in part by the Monday shuttering of such programs as “TheReidOut” with Joy Reid and “The Katie Phang Show” with Katie Phang.