Joan Walsh announces move to CNN

Political analyst Joan Walsh announced Saturday night that she will be moving to CNN in 2018, just hours after MSNBC said it would not be renewing her contract with the network.

“I am overwhelmed by the support I’ve received today from all of you. And I’m thrilled to tell you I’ll be heading to @CNN in the new year,” tweeted Walsh, a national affairs correspondent for The Nation who served as editor-in-chief of Salon.

“Thanks to everyone who made this happen. A Christmas miracle,” she added.

I am overwhelmed by the support I’ve received today from all of you. And I’m thrilled to tell you I’ll be heading to @CNN in the new year. Thanks to everyone who made this happen. A Christmas miracle.

— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) December 23, 2017 

{mosads}

Walsh’s announcement came after MSNBC said on Saturday her contributor contract would not be renewed. The announcement spurred backlash on social media, including from former colleagues on the network such as Joy Reid and Chris Hayes. 

It’s incredibly short sighted to sideline voices like Joan’s, especially now. Especially given the momentousness of next year’s anniversaries: the women’s march, the King and RFK assassinations … we need to be at full strength as media entities, and Joan belongs in the mix.

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) December 23, 2017

@joanwalsh is indispensable.

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 23, 2017

“Joan Walsh has been a key voice on MSNBC for years and she’s absolutely still welcome. Every year we review our paid contributors list across the ideological spectrum. Unfortunately we couldn’t renew Joan, but she and her distinct perspective will still be invited on our shows,” a spokesperson from MSNBC said in a statement to The Hill earlier Saturday.

Walsh’s departure from MSNBC comes as the network had its most-watched year in its 21-year history.