Trump Celebrates Pete Hegseth Confirmation, Launches Late-Night Attack on Maddow
(Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)
Just hours after celebrating the confirmation of embattled Fox News personality Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, former President Donald Trump turned his attention to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, launching a scathing attack on the popular host via his Truth Social platform.
Hegseth’s confirmation, despite facing allegations of sexual assault and public drunkenness, marked a significant moment in Trump’s early second term. However, Trump’s celebratory tone quickly shifted as he targeted Maddow, who recently returned to full-time nightly hosting on MSNBC. Maddow’s return has been a major highlight for the network, with executives positioning her show as central to their coverage of Trump’s administration during its critical first 100 days.
Trump appeared less than thrilled by Maddow’s renewed prominence. In a late-night post, he lashed out, writing, “Wow! Rachel Maddow has horrible ratings. She’ll be off the air very soon. MSNBC IS CLOSE TO DEATH. CNN HAS REACHED THE BOTTOM. This is a good thing. They are the Enemy of the people!”
As is often the case with Trump’s online tirades, the post provided no evidence to support his claims about Maddow’s ratings or the state of her network. It also left observers questioning what specifically triggered the outburst.
Maddow, a long-time critic of Trump, has been a consistent thorn in his side, dating back to his first term in office. Her investigative reporting and pointed commentary have drawn both admiration from her viewers and ire from her political adversaries.
Her recent return to nightly hosting, following a reduced schedule, has energized MSNBC’s audience, with network executives describing her comeback as a strategic move to bolster their primetime lineup during a pivotal moment in U.S. politics.
Trump’s attack on Maddow also included a swipe at CNN, another frequent target of his criticism. Both networks have faced repeated accusations of bias from the former president, who has labeled them “fake news” and “enemies of the people” throughout his political career.
While Trump’s online rhetoric remains polarizing, his continued focus on media figures like Maddow underscores their influence in shaping public perception of his administration. Maddow and MSNBC have yet to respond publicly to Trump’s remarks, but her return is already drawing significant viewership, setting the stage for a renewed battle of narratives between the White House and its media critics.
