Nicolle Wallace Expands Her Reach With a New Podcast and Navigates Recent Controversies

Nicolle Wallace, the well-known host of Msnbc’s Deadline: White House, is adding something new to her busy life. She is starting her first podcast, called The Best People. This new project comes at a time when Wallace is also dealing with some public disagreements and shifting viewership numbers for her TV show. It seems she is ready to try different ways to connect with her audience and perhaps share more about herself and her thoughts. I always find it interesting when TV personalities step into the podcast world. It often lets us see a different side of them.

Wallace shared that she had the idea for The Best People after watching the 2024 election results. She told PEOPLE that she wanted to do more. She realized that not everyone watches the news every day. She said she wanted to be "available in other mediums." This podcast will let her have longer conversations. She felt a "hungering for" this kind of extended discussion. For anyone who watches her show, it makes sense she would want more time to talk. Her daily program often moves quickly through many breaking news stories.

The title of her podcast, The Best People, is quite something. It shares its name with a phrase former President Donald Trump often used to describe his team. Wallace admitted to The Times that she thought he had stopped using it. She also said she actually thought "the best people" was "one of his best messages in 2016." This choice of title is certainly an interesting one. It makes me wonder if she is trying to reclaim the phrase or simply using it to make people think. Either way, it got my attention right away.

Nicolle Wallace's New Podcast Aims To Bridge Divides And Discuss Real Life

How The Emmy-Nominated Host Plans To Connect Beyond Just Politics With Her Listeners

Wallace is clear that her new podcast will not avoid politics. She promises listeners, "We do not avoid the elephant in the room." However, she also plans to talk about things beyond just political headlines. She believes we will not fix political disagreements until people sit down and talk about common experiences. These include raising kids, worrying about screen time, and making sure to have enough time for date night with partners. She sees these as everyday things everyone can discuss. She feels that when we separate politics from our real lives, it creates more separation.

For her first podcast guests, Wallace has lined up some big names. These include fellow MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, and actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Jason Bateman. This mix of guests shows her intent to broaden the conversation beyond just the political world. She connected with some guests through shared interests. For example, she knew Doc Rivers through his work on social justice issues. She knew Sarah Jessica Parker for her support of literacy programs. Wallace said that for some reason people talking on Zoom seem "even more candid and forthcoming about how they feel." This could lead to some truly honest and interesting conversations on the podcast.

Wallace does not think her voice will get lost in the busy world of podcasts. She called the podcast space "vibrant." She believes the people she has on the show are the important part. She said, "I'm not the variable. It's the collection of amazing people that agreed to talk to us." She will judge the podcast's success by whether the people who come enjoy it. She wants to feel like she served her listeners. This focus on her guests and the shared experience rather than just her own opinions is a good sign for a podcast. It could make for a more engaging and less one-sided listening experience than some news programs.

Nicolle Wallace's Recent Ratings And Controversies Are Under The Spotlight

Examining The Public Reaction To Her Comments And How They Might Impact Her Career

Recent reports have put Nicolle Wallace's viewership numbers under a microscope. Her show, Deadline: White House, saw a notable drop in viewers after the November 5 election. Nielsen figures show her average viewership went down by 35 percent. It fell to just over one million viewers for the rest of that year. The decline was also clear in the important advertising group of adults ages 25 to 54. She saw a drop there as well. Since the start of this year, the trend has continued. Her show is averaging around 1.1 million viewers. This is a 25 percent decrease compared to the same time a year ago.

These numbers show that while Wallace has a loyal audience, she is facing challenges in keeping viewership steady. Some of her competing programs on Fox News, airing in the same time slot, have much higher viewership. This includes an average audience of 3.6 million. Even in the 25-54 age group, Wallace has been behind other cable offerings. It shows that even prominent news hosts can see their numbers shift with political events and public sentiment. It is a tough business, and staying on top is not easy.

Wallace has also faced a lot of public criticism lately, especially after some comments she made about a young cancer survivor. This boy, DJ Daniel, was honored by former President Trump during an address to Congress. Wallace's analysis on MSNBC took a surprising turn. She connected the young boy to the events of January 6, 2021. She said, "I let myself feel joy about DJ, and I hope he’s alive for another, you know, 95 years." But then she added, "I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters." She also hoped he would not "lose his life to suicide" like some officers after January 6. These remarks sparked immediate backlash. Many people found them inappropriate and insensitive given the boy's situation. Former President Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt even called for her to resign.

This controversy shows how difficult it can be to balance political commentary with empathy. Her colleague, Rachel Maddow, also got criticism for similar comments. It puts a lot of pressure on these hosts to choose their words carefully. The public reaction to these kinds of statements can be swift and strong. It makes me wonder if these controversies will impact how people view Wallace moving forward. It could also influence the topics she chooses to discuss on her new podcast, especially if she is trying to reach a wider audience.

A Look Behind The Scenes Of Nicolle Wallace's Daily Life And New Ventures

Balancing A Busy Career With Family Commitments In The Fast-Paced World of News

Nicolle Wallace has some pre-show routines for Deadline: White House that she will bring to The Best People. She jokes that it involves a lot of caffeine. She also makes sure to check in with her family. This includes her husband, New York Times journalist Michael Schmidt. She also checks in with her 13-year-old son Liam and her toddler daughter Isabella, who is one and a half. She checks in to make sure her daughter is okay. For her son, she sometimes orders him sushi, which is his favorite after school. She calls it a "mini meal" for a 13-year-old boy. Then, she has more caffeine. She also always makes sure she runs before she sits down to talk to anyone. This helps clear her head and brain. These small details show how she manages her busy life.

Wallace does not think she decompresses from the constant news cycle. She believes no one truly decompresses anymore. Instead, she feels people are learning how to live in a "compressed state." She thinks there will be a moment to decompress later. For now, she is trying to enjoy all the chances she has to connect. This attitude is common among people in high-pressure jobs. It suggests a constant state of engagement. It makes me think about how much mental energy it must take to be so involved in the news every single day.

Wallace was also inspired by her husband's outside activities. Michael Schmidt co-created the Netflix thriller series Zero Day. Wallace said he enjoyed it so much that it gave her the idea to try something "a little outside my comfort zone." This personal inspiration helps us understand her drive for the podcast. It shows that even seasoned professionals look for new ways to grow and challenge themselves. When Wallace and Schmidt appear together on TV, they are very professional. But off-camera, family matters come up. She said when they are both on set, her son texts them about dinner. During breaks, they are talking about "logistics," not "the rule of law." It paints a picture of a busy, but relatable, family life.

Looking Ahead: What Does The Future Hold For Nicolle Wallace And MSNBC?

Considering The Network's Changes And How Wallace Fits Into Its Overall Vision

MSNBC is going through some big changes. The channel is being spun off from its current owner, Comcast, into a new company called Versant. Comcast is stepping away from cable channels, except for its reality brand Bravo. This is because fewer people are watching pay TV. Over the last decade, cord-cutting has reduced the number of cable homes MSNBC reaches by 33 percent. MSNBC also saw a lot of viewers leave right after the presidential election, as its audience tuned out after Trump’s victory. However, ratings have slowly climbed back up, with MSNBC holding onto its second-place spot behind Fox News.

Despite these changes, leadership at Versant has made it clear that MSNBC will continue to cater to a politically progressive audience. Wallace believes that the commitment to the network's point of view has only gotten stronger under the new management. She said the culture "rewards deep wonky coverage of politics." She also noted that MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler has "tripled down on all of that." This suggests that Wallace's direct and often critical style aligns well with the network's path forward. It indicates that her place at MSNBC is secure, even with the recent shifts and controversies.

The new company, Versant, is also hiring its own newsgathering team. This includes up to 100 journalists. Wallace sees this as a positive sign. She said, "To work for someone who is hiring reporters at a time when we’re looking at an administration that seems a little meh about the Constitution is pretty forward leaning." This shows her dedication to solid journalism, even within a network known for its strong political commentary. Her new podcast and continued role on MSNBC suggest she is fully committed to her work. She remains a prominent figure in news, adapting to new platforms while staying true to her style and perspective. It will be interesting to see how her podcast performs and how her unique blend of politics and personal life continues to evolve.