Uncertainty Surrounds Alex Wagner’s Return to MSNBC Primetime as Network Pushes Rachel Maddow to Stay
Network Scrambles to Retain Maddow’s Star Power Amid Ratings Rebound
As Donald Trump’s second term begins, MSNBC is navigating a pivotal moment in its primetime lineup, with sources inside the network revealing that Alex Wagner’s return to her regular 9 p.m. slot is far from assured. The progressive cable news outlet, eager to capitalize on Rachel Maddow’s star power, is reportedly making a strong push to convince its marquee anchor to extend her temporary five-night-a-week schedule beyond the first 100 days of the Trump administration, potentially reshaping the network’s evening programming.
Maddow, who scaled back to hosting "The Rachel Maddow Show" exclusively on Mondays in 2022 to focus on podcasts, books, and other projects, returned to the anchor chair full-time on January 20, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration. The move was initially framed as a limited engagement, set to conclude on April 30, 2025, after which Wagner—who has anchored the 9 p.m. ET slot Tuesday through Friday—was expected to resume her regular duties. Wagner, in the meantime, has taken on a special assignment, crisscrossing the country for "Trumpland: The First 100 Days," a series of field reports examining the real-world impact of Trump’s early policies.
However, MSNBC insiders now suggest that network executives are rethinking this plan. "There’s no guarantee Alex comes back to primetime as scheduled," one source said. "The bosses see Rachel as the key to stabilizing viewership, and they’re pulling out all the stops to keep her on five nights a week." Maddow’s return has already shown signs of boosting the network’s flagging ratings, which plummeted by 57% in primetime following Trump’s victory in November 2024. Her January 6, 2025, broadcast drew 1.62 million viewers, a 20% increase over the post-election slump, underscoring her enduring draw.
The push to retain Maddow full-time stems from MSNBC’s broader struggle to regain its footing after a bruising election cycle. With Fox News dominating cable news audiences and progressive viewers showing signs of news fatigue, the network is banking on Maddow’s incisive commentary and loyal following to anchor its identity as a leading voice of the Trump opposition. "Rachel’s the gold standard," another source noted. "They’re not just asking her to stay—they’re pleading."
For Wagner, the uncertainty casts a shadow over her role at MSNBC. Her "Trumpland" series has been praised internally as a bold journalistic endeavor, offering on-the-ground perspectives that complement Maddow’s studio-driven analysis. Yet, her primetime tenure since taking over the 9 p.m. slot in 2022 has been overshadowed by inevitable comparisons to Maddow, whose Monday broadcasts consistently outpaced Wagner’s in viewership. "Alex has been a trouper, but she’s not Rachel," the first source admitted. "If Rachel stays, they might reposition Alex elsewhere—maybe a weekend show or a streaming project."
Maddow, for her part, has publicly signaled that her current stint is temporary. In a recent USA Today interview, she described the April 30 cutoff as a "hard stop," emphasizing her commitment to supporting Wagner’s field reporting while preserving her own flexibility for outside ventures. But network pressure could test that resolve. MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler, has remained tight-lipped about long-term plans, though the networks earlier statements underscored the strategic importance of Maddow’s presence during this critical period.
The situation reflects broader tensions at MSNBC as it faces a post-election identity crisis and an impending corporate spinoff from Comcast, which will separate the network from NBC News. With ratings in flux and the Trump administration promising a steady stream of polarizing news, the decision on Maddow’s future could define MSNBC’s trajectory for years to come. For now, viewers—and Wagner—wait to see whether the network’s primetime titan will relent or if the original plan will hold as Trump’s first 100 days draw to a close on April 30, 2025.