Rachel Maddow fans on social media were outraged when the MSNBC host was bumped Thursday night in favor of MSNBC breaking news anchor Brian Williams.
Williams is typically brought on for any breaking news event, and he covered the late-night U.S. cruise missile strikes against a Syrian government airfield. Fox News and CNN also preempted their usual primetime programming in order to have their breaking news anchors–Shepard Smith and Anderson Cooper, respectively–cover the events live.
Still, Maddow fans were angry, arguing that she should have been allowed to cover the event herself. More than a few argued that sexism was behind the decision.
Among the more famous critics was liberal comedienne Rosie O'Donnell.
so brian crashes into rachels show - and when 11 hits - he takes over and she disappears - no goodbye - WTF MSNBC? - so sexist - so rude
— ROSIE (@Rosie) April 7, 2017
But even the rank-and-file were upset.
.@MSNBC why did you bring in Brian Williams to cover breaking news during @maddow air time? Rachel is more than competent. #EverydaySexism
— Amy Volz (@wescott_amy) April 7, 2017
And why did we need Brian Williams instead of Rachel to tell us this @MSNBC @maddow #maddow
— Rodney H (@RodHargrove) April 7, 2017
Hey @MSNBC why did u call Brian Williams in on @maddow when news hit? She is MORE than capable, didn't need backup Disappointing. #Syria
— Terryl (@terrylb89) April 7, 2017
Even @MSNBC thinks Brian Williams, with his sketchiness, is more competent that a woman to handle breaking news-put Maddow on now, please.
— Girls Really Rule. (@girlsreallyrule) April 7, 2017
Rachel Maddow would never refer to a Tomahawk launch as "beautiful". What in the ever living hell is Brian Williams doing on her air time?
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) April 7, 2017
Brian Williams is the "traveling White House" of news anchors. #Maddow can handle on her own, thank u. #Syria #MSNBC pic.twitter.com/TeJKiu6J8c
— Painted Octopus (@paintedoctopus) April 7, 2017
@msnbc @maddow Please do not put Brian Williams in a Breaking News situation in Rachael's place. She's brilliant. Totally capable.
— Marianna (@mwitch18) April 7, 2017
Worse than Brian Williams calling missiles "beautiful" was @MSNBC's phallic urge to launch him into @maddow's show as soon as bombing began.
— Vs. (@JFD8) April 7, 2017
So MSNBC bumps Maddow for Brian Williams. #Sexist
— Stephen (@NewJerzeyBoy) April 7, 2017