Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
What has Donald Trump said about MSNBC's coverage of his presidency?
Executive summary
Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked MSNBC as biased, “corrupt,” “illegal,” “the enemy,” and a “fake news product,” predicting its decline and at times calling for punitive actions; his remarks appear across speeches, interviews and social posts (e.g., calling CNN and MSNBC “corrupt” and “illegal” [1]; labeling MSNBC “the enemy” and a “big con job” [2]; mocking a rebrand as “the stench of their fake news product” [3]). Coverage of his criticism is tracked both by mainstream outlets and partisan sites, and sources disagree on tone and implication of his claims [4] [5].
1. Trump’s core complaints: bias, corruption and “enemy” status
Trump’s public messaging has consistently framed MSNBC as a hostile actor: he has called the network “the enemy,” said its coverage is biased and a “big con job,” and accused cable outlets of corruption for reporting negatively on him [2] [1]. Those characterizations are presented by Trump as descriptive — not merely rhetorical — and appear in interviews and speeches where he singles out MSNBC alongside other outlets he views as antagonistic [2] [1].
2. Predictions and threats: “turned off,” make them “pay,” and legal language
Beyond name-calling, Trump has made predictive and punitive statements. He predicted networks “would be ‘turned off’ due to declining ratings” and called MSNBC and CNN “dishonest,” arguing they would suffer for their coverage [4]. Reporting from earlier coverage notes he has urged authorities to “make them pay” for criticism and suggested legal consequences for perceived “illegal political activity” by media [5]. Those reports document his rhetoric; available sources do not provide proof that any government action to punish networks has occurred in response [5].
3. Mockery tied to branding and ratings: seizing on corporate moves
When NBC/Comcast and the MSNBC brand faced corporate changes — including a planned rebrand and spinoff — Trump used that as an opening to mock the network, calling its planned name change an attempt to hide from the “stench” of a “fake news product” [3]. He also ties his critiques to audience metrics, framing the network as failing in ratings and therefore vulnerable [4].
4. Coverage context: how outlets report Trump’s attacks
Mainstream outlets such as Deadline, Forbes and The Hill record Trump’s accusations and predictives as part of broader profiles of his media attacks, noting he offers no cited evidence for claims of illegality and corruption [1] [4] [2]. Opinion and network pieces (including MSNBC’s own coverage) interpret his attacks as part of an ongoing adversarial relationship between Trump and outlets that criticize him; partisan outlets amplify different dimensions — some emphasize his attacks as authoritarian-leaning, others as expected political counterpunching [6] [7].
5. Examples of incidents: social media tirades and on-air triggers
Specific recent incidents include a Truth Social post mocking a rebrand [3] and an on-air back-and-forth after content from shows like Morning Joe allegedly mocked him, prompting a “tirade” noted in reporting [8]. Deadline covered a March speech where he labeled CNN and MSNBC “illegal” for negative reporting [1]. These episodes show a pattern of rapid reaction to particular broadcasts or corporate moves [8] [3] [1].
6. Competing perspectives and limits of the record
Reporting cites Trump’s claims but also notes constitutional protections for the press and that media reporting is not, as a rule, “illegal” [1]. Forbes and other outlets point out Trump offered little to no evidence for claims of fabricated stories [4]. Conversely, some commentators — including MSNBC hosts — frame their coverage as holding power to account and see his attacks as politically motivated; other outlets, particularly conservative outlets, frame his critiques as exposing liberal media bias [7] [9]. Available sources do not provide an independent audit proving systematic illegality or corruption by MSNBC tied to the specific claims cited by Trump [1].
7. Why it matters: rhetoric, power and media-company moves
Trump’s rhetoric matters because it mixes delegitimizing language (“enemy,” “illegal”), calls for punitive measures, and mockery timed to corporate developments — a combination that can shape public perceptions of press legitimacy and exert pressure on media companies and advertisers [2] [5] [3]. Coverage of Comcast’s actions and MSNBC’s rebrand has given fresh ammunition to both Trump critics and defenders, illustrating how corporate decisions become political flashpoints [10] [11].
8. Bottom line for readers
Trump’s statements about MSNBC are consistent: he portrays the network as biased, corrupt, and deserving of decline or punishment; reporting documents those statements but also records that his legal and corruption allegations lack cited proof in these accounts [2] [1] [4]. Interpretations split along familiar lines — critics see threats to press freedom, supporters see warranted pushback — and readers should treat Trump’s claims as political messaging documented in multiple outlets rather than established legal findings [1] [4].