MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell was slammed by viewers for her emotional break-down during her final broadcast.
The veteran journalist signed off from her show for the final time on Friday, marking the conclusion of a staggering 17-year run on her daily mid-morning show.
As the cameras rolled for the final minutes Andrea Mitchell Reports, the 78-year-old presenter grew visibly emotional and even wiped away tears as she was surprised by staffers and producers who flooded the studio, stood around her and applauded.
It was clearly a surprise for Mitchell who moments earlier delivered a heartfelt goodbye to viewers.
Despite the sendoff, Mitchell will not be completely stepping away and will still be remaining on staff as NBC News’ chief foreign affairs and Washington correspondent.
As for viewers watching Friday’s finale reactions ranged from bittersweet nostalgia to outright celebration.
‘Is she always like this?’ one viewer criticized on X.
While she has long been recognized as a pioneer for women in journalism, many liberal viewers have soured on her in recent years, accusing her of giving former President Donald Trump too much leniency while pressing Democrats harder.
‘Andrea leaving MSNBC. Give people what they want and they’ll come out and cheer!’ wrote one viewer.
Veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell signed off from her MSNBC show for the final time on Friday with tears in her eyes
Mitchell was surprised as dozens of staffers and former co-workers flooded the set to pay tribute
Another said, ‘I was having a bad week until I heard that today is Andrea Mitchell’s last day at MSNBC. I feel better already.’
‘I was wiping away tears as well……delicious tears of joy. Whenever I’m feeling down, I’ll watch it again and again,’ quipped another.
‘MSNBC going the way of USAID. There will be very few left in another 30 days,’ joked one.
Others justified her reaction, noting it would have been a huge moment for her career.
‘It’s nice to see her colleagues care about her so much and give her a proper send-off.
‘Some people don’t get a life sign off, and some people don’t get surprised by their colleagues on their last show like this,’ praised one.
Mitchell delivered a message directly to her audience during her final monologue: ‘Just a few final thoughts about the stories that we’ve shared over these 17 years, you and I, and the miles I’ve traveled to bring them to you.
‘I’ve anchored this program all over the world, as you just saw, from Moscow to Beijing, Nairobi to Ramallah, Havana, Islamabad, Kabul, Baghdad, yes, telling America’s story, as well, all over the United States, starting with Iowa and New Hampshire.
‘This hour has always been driven by what I love most, deep reporting on politics and foreign policy,’ she added.
‘As I announced last October, in these challenging times, I want to get back to my roots and learn more about your lives, tell your stories as we face tectonic changes in our nation and our world, after also doing that for 17 years, hosting this daily show on MSNBC, I’ll be doing that from now on full time, where this amazing ride first started 47 years ago, right here at NBC News as chief Washington and chief foreign policy correspondent, continuing to cover politics and foreign policy.’
Mitchell’s career has been nothing short of legendary. She has covered every US presidential campaign since 1980, providing unparalleled analysis and direct access to world leaders.
Her ability to command interviews with the most powerful figures in the world has also made her one of the most trusted voices in journalism.
The studio was full to bursting by the time the show was reaching its climax
Mitchell will still be remaining on staff as NBC News’ chief foreign affairs and Washington correspondent
NBC executives lauded Mitchell’s contributions in an internal memo, calling her ‘one of the country’s foremost and most trusted experts on foreign policy and domestic politics’.
They further praised her ‘deep sourcing and ability to land the biggest-name news-making interviews’.
Her transition comes amid a time of upheaval at NBC and MSNBC. Just last week, longtime Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd bid farewell to NBC News after nearly two decades, signaling an ongoing transformation within the network.
Meanwhile, MSNBC president Rashida Jones also stepped down, leaving the channel at a crossroads.
At the end of last year, NBC saw exits from other veteran anchors, including former Nightline co-anchor and investigative journalist Cynthia McFadden, and Harry Smith, who had been with the outlet for 12 years.
MSNBC President Rashida Jones, above, left the company following a tough election season where the network struggled for viewership
Jones reportedly decided to leave after ‘an intense cycle’, with star anchor Rachel Maddow to returning to a five-night hosting schedule after viewership returns saw MSNBC lose ground to rivals CNN and Fox
In January Hoda Kotb, 60, an anchor on The Today Show, stepped back from her morning program to focus more on her young children
Hoda Kotb, an anchor on The Today Show, stepped back from her morning program last month to focus more on her young children.
Former CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell shocked viewers in August after quitting her anchor and managing editor roles.
O’Donnell departed the broadcast last month after leading the show for five years and spent 12 years as a network anchor.
As to what will replace Andrea Mitchell Reports remains uncertain, as MSNBC has not yet announced a successor or replacement program.
Mitchell’s departure is emblematic of a larger shift in the television news industry.
Legacy media giants, including MSNBC and CNN, are struggling to retain their dominance as streaming services and digital platforms reshape how audiences consume news.
CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell shocked stepped down from the iconic broadcast last month quitting her anchor and managing editor roles
Last week Chuck Todd bid farewell to NBC News after nearly two decades, signaling an ongoing transformation within the network
Amid financial strain, MSNBC has reportedly asked some of its headline stars, including Joy Reid and Stephanie Ruhle, to accept pay cuts to remain on-air.
Even Rachel Maddow, once the network’s golden child, took a significant salary reduction from her $30 million annual deal.
As the network contends with these changes, Mitchell’s move to step down as a daily anchor but remain a field reporter reflects her commitment to journalism.
‘From primaries, debates, elections, and inaugurals here at home… to breaking news around the globe – my goal will continue, as it has always been, to bring you, our viewers, the major newsmakers shaping our country and the world right here on MSNBC,’ she said in a message to viewers last October.
