5 Major NBC News Firings And Scandals That Shook The Network To Its Core (Updated 2025)

The landscape of television news is constantly shifting, but few events send shockwaves through the industry like the sudden termination of a high-profile anchor. The phrase "NBC News anchor fired" immediately conjures images of media upheaval, workplace scandals, and on-air apologies. While the most infamous case remains a cautionary tale, the network continues to face controversies and significant departures, with major shifts announced as recently as the start of December 2025.

This deep dive examines the most significant firings and high-profile controversies that have defined NBC News's recent history, focusing on the dramatic circumstances, the fallout, and what these events reveal about the culture of one of America's most powerful news organizations. We look at the anchor whose career ended in disgrace and the more recent high-stakes terminations that kept the network in the headlines.

The Central Figure: Matt Lauer's Biography and Disgrace

The firing of Matt Lauer remains the benchmark for media scandals, a sudden, shocking end to a two-decade career at the top of morning television. His termination in 2017 was the direct result of a detailed complaint of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace, which quickly spiraled into multiple, wider-ranging allegations.

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• Full Name: Matthew Todd Lauer
• Born: December 30, 1957 (New York, USA)
• Education: School of Communications at Ohio University (did not graduate, later received a degree in 2019)
• Career Peak: Co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show (1997–2017)
• Other Roles: Co-host of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, host of the opening ceremonies for multiple Olympic Games.
• Date of Firing: November 29, 2017
• Official Reason for Termination: Inappropriate sexual behavior and a clear violation of company standards.

The Matt Lauer Scandal: Allegations, Fallout, and Lasting Impact

Lauer's firing was announced live on the Today Show by his visibly shaken co-anchors, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, marking a surreal moment in television history.

The initial complaint, which triggered his termination, was followed by multiple other women coming forward with accusations. These allegations spanned years, detailing a pattern of alleged sexual misconduct.

The most severe allegation came from former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils, who alleged Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Lauer vehemently denied the allegation of assault, stating the encounter was consensual, but acknowledged his past behavior was "shameful."

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The Internal Investigation and Culture Questions

Following the scandal, NBCUniversal launched an extensive internal investigation into Lauer’s conduct and the workplace culture at the Today Show. The investigation concluded that NBC News management and Today Show leadership were unaware of Lauer’s alleged misconduct until the formal complaint was filed.

The findings stated there was "no evidence" to suggest a culture of sexual harassment existed at the news division, a conclusion that was met with skepticism by critics and some former employees who questioned the depth and impartiality of the internal review.

The scandal brought the issues of workplace power dynamics, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and media ethics to the forefront of national conversation, forever changing the professional standards expected of high-profile news personalities.

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The Ronna McDaniel Fiasco: A Firing in Days, Not Years

While the Lauer case involved an anchor and years of alleged misconduct, the 2024 firing of Ronna McDaniel illustrated a different kind of controversy: a public revolt over a contributor's political ethics.

In March 2024, NBC News hired the former Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman as a political analyst for the election cycle. The decision was immediately met with an unprecedented, open revolt by many of the network’s top on-air talent, including Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow, and Nicolle Wallace.

The primary concern was McDaniel’s role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, with critics arguing her presence compromised NBC News's journalistic integrity.

The backlash was so severe and immediate that NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde announced the network was reversing its decision just days after the hiring. This swift termination, though of a political analyst and not an anchor, showed the power of internal and public pressure in shaping media employment decisions in the modern era.

The Current State of NBC News: Departures and Restructuring in 2025

The year 2025 has brought significant changes to the NBC News and MSNBC landscape, demonstrating a period of executive-level restructuring and high-profile departures, even if they aren't technically "firings."

Lester Holt Steps Down from Nightly News

In a major development for the network, veteran anchor Lester Holt announced in early 2025 that he would be stepping down as the anchor of NBC Nightly News. Holt, who has been the face of the flagship broadcast since 2015, is not being fired but is transitioning into an expanded role with Dateline and other special projects.

This planned departure, though amicable, signifies the end of an era and forces the network to navigate a transition in its most crucial evening news slot, a move that is always fraught with public scrutiny and internal politics.

MSNBC Show Cuts and Ayman Mohyeldin

Simultaneously, the broader news group has undergone programming changes. In 2025, MSNBC—a subsidiary of NBC News—announced the cancellation of several shows, including the weekend evening program hosted by Ayman Mohyeldin.

While reports initially suggested a wider round of cuts, Mohyeldin himself confirmed that he had signed a contract extension despite his weekend show, Ayman, being canceled. This move, reportedly part of a shift toward multi-anchor shows and a response to declining ratings, highlights the constant pressure on cable news hosts to perform and the executive decisions that can lead to a host’s sudden removal from a time slot.

The Aftermath: Where Are the Fired Anchors Now?

The public nature of a high-profile firing means the subject's career prospects are often permanently damaged. For those who leave under a cloud of scandal, a return to the spotlight is nearly impossible.

Since his termination, Matt Lauer has largely retreated from public life. He has remained out of the spotlight, focusing on private life and family, a stark contrast to his two decades as a daily fixture on millions of American televisions. Despite occasional rumors of a potential media career comeback, the continued shadow of the sexual misconduct allegations has ensured that no major network or media outlet has been willing to hire him.

The legacy of the Lauer firing and the rapid-fire termination of Ronna McDaniel serve as clear markers of the modern media environment. They underscore a new reality where journalistic integrity, workplace conduct, and public perception hold immense power, capable of ending even the most entrenched and powerful careers at a moment's notice.