In a surprising move, NBC News has faced significant backlash after hiring Ronna McDaniel, the former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), as a contributor. The announcement, made by NBC News' Senior Vice President of Politics, Carrie Budoff Brown, has not been well-received by McDaniel's new colleagues and other prominent figures within the network.

During a conversation with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, NBC's chief political analyst, Chuck Todd, expressed his concerns about McDaniel's credibility and the implications of her being a paid contributor for the network. Todd openly suggested that McDaniel's responses during previous segments may have been influenced by her desire to protect her contract.

"There's a reason why there are a lot of journalists at NBC News uncomfortable with this, because many of our professional dealings with the RNC over the last six years have been met with gaslighting, have been met with character assassination," Todd stated on his show.

Rachel Maddow echoed similar sentiments during her Monday night show, criticizing NBC's decision and urging the network to reconsider its choice. She called the move to put McDaniel on the payroll "inexplicable."

However, it's important to note that McDaniel announced her resignation from the RNC chair position in February. She is considered the first woman to have held the esteemed title. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, McDaniel, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, made controversial statements alleging that the election had been stolen from Trump by President Joe Biden. These claims have been widely debunked and proven false.

The backlash against NBC's decision to hire McDaniel reflects the concerns of some within the network, who express discomfort in working with someone who they perceive has credibility issues. Critics argue that the RNC's history of employing gaslighting tactics and character assassination has eroded trust between the organization and journalists, making McDaniel's new role at NBC problematic.

The news network has yet to address the growing criticism, leaving many to speculate on whether they will reconsider their decision to bring McDaniel on board as a paid contributor. As the controversy surrounding the hiring continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how NBC will navigate the tension between their own talent and the addition of a controversial figure to their team.