Ex-host Tiffany Pass wished to ‘take down’ MSNBC earlier than go out: supply

Ex-MSNBC host Tiffany Pass discovered that she used to be getting driven out days forward of her go out — and allegedly threatened to “move out in a blaze” and “take down” the cable TV community and its boss, Rashida Jones, The Put up has discovered from assets just about MSNBC.

The arguable anchor — whose weekend demonstrate “The Pass Connection” used to be swiftly canceled previous this month as MSNBC elected to not renew her contract, consistent with assets — started frantically calling different reporters, media executives and social activists every week earlier than her ouster in a bid to rally fortify, a supply with wisdom alleged.

“She made calls pronouncing, ‘I’m going out in a blaze and I’m taking down the community and going after Rashida,’” a supply just about the placement claimed, paraphrasing Pass.

MSNBC pros and Jones, the community’s president, didn’t get wind of the alleged telephone calls till after Pass used to be let move, assets instructed The Put up. It’s unclear how Pass knew of her looming dismissal, however insiders speculated that her agent were given the scoop whilst seeking to negotiate a brand new contract for his shopper.

Neither Pass nor her agent, WME’s Henry Reisch, replied to requests for remark. Her attorney Bryan Freedman additionally didn’t go back calls or emails for remark.

MSNBC declined to remark.

MSNBC insiders declare Pass used to be ousted partially over her addiction of constructing “vulgar” feedback and “identify calling” on air, however The Put up has discovered from MSNBC insiders that she additionally were below fireplace for allegedly racking up up to $100,000 in bills for five-star resort remains.

All the way through her two-year tenure at MSNBC, the host took journeys to Los Angeles and the Tremendous Bowl, portraying them as business trips, assets claimed. Pass’ Oscars shuttle, through which she allegedly stayed on the Beverly Wilshire on Rodeo Power for an “prolonged keep,” raised eyebrows, consistent with a supply.

“She’s staying at a resort NBC’s pros don’t keep at,” the supply mentioned of the 4 Seasons-owned resort, which fees greater than $1,000 an evening for a fundamental room all through prime season.

“She mistook running in tv information for being a celeb,” the supply added. “She used to be making north of $200,000 and he or she acted like she made $5 million.”

In different places, Pass allegedly irked colleagues as she demanded extra place of job house regardless of the truth she used to be best at the air as soon as every week, an insider added. Control wasn’t receptive partially as a result of her demonstrate used to be in closing position — regardless of her public insistence that her numbers had been robust, consistent with assets just about the placement.

In a observation on her go out, Pass claimed that her demonstrate garnered “greater than 4.6 million per thirty days audience” and that it used to be MSNBC’s “highest-rated weekend demonstrate.”

Consistent with Nielsen, “The Pass Connection” by no means got here just about that quantity, drawing between 704,000 and 465,000 every week since June. For the yr, Pass’ demonstrate averaged 548,000 audience.

Ultimate month, the demonstrate reeled in simply 605,000 audience on reasonable, trailing “CNN Newsroom” with 696,000 audience and Fox Information’ “Cavuto Reside,” which tallied just about 1.4 million audience. Rankings additionally demonstrate that “MSNBC Reside with Alex Witt” is the community’s highest-rated weekend demonstrate.

“You’ve were given to win the room to live on unhealthy rankings,” a supply just about MSNBC mentioned.

One in all Jones’ first main hires, Pass used to be intended to draw black audience to the community. A former Washington bureau leader for BET, Pass labored as a political visitor analyst for MSNBC earlier than in the end grabbing an anchor chair in 2020.

Resources mentioned doubts had in recent times grown whether or not Pass’ contract could be renewed. Nonetheless, her abrupt dismissal days earlier than the midterm elections stunned some insiders, who anticipated she would no less than end out the contract, which were set to run out Dec. 31.

Enthusiasts of Pass’ outspoken, tell-it-like-it-is supply blasted MSNBC on social media for canceling “The Pass Connection,” which aired on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midday. In a observation posted to her Instagram, Pass portrayed her ouster as “backlash” for her unapologetic takes on gender, race and politics.

However within MSNBC, pros grew pissed off with Pass’ addiction of attacking information hosts at different cable networks. Pass were in public feuds with the likes of Fox Information’ Tucker Carlson and Sirius XM’s Megyn Kelly, whom she referred to as a “black face knowledgeable,” in addition to Invoice Maher, whom she referred to as an “offended, white previous guy.”

In different places, Pass characterised CNN’s Van Jones, ESPN anchor Sage Steele and previous MSNBC anchor Carlos Watson as black reporters who “aren’t essentially black voices.”

“I see my colleagues dilute themselves, water down their issues, move out in their method to make white people comfy as a result of they believe by some means that it’s going to win them some prize,” Pass mentioned in an after-show video with political commentators Jason Johnson and Roland Martin posted to her Instagram, with out naming names.

A supply just about the placement mentioned the community’s “requirements workforce” and Jones sat down with Pass more than one instances all through her tenure, caution her to chorus from “identify calling” and use of “vulgar,” “lewd” language. Their downside used to be by no means Pass’ message, however her supply, the supply added.

Her death used to be fast-tracked after her Oct. 15 feedback on Superb Courtroom Justice Clarence Thomas, whom she referred to as “Justice Pubic Hair on My Coke Can.” A supply mentioned that on-air phase earned the host her closing caution, and it’s imaginable she then discovered of her destiny.

On Nov. 3, Pass seemed on Comedy Central’s “Hell of a Week with Charlamagne,” making feedback that rankled MSNBC pros, an insider instructed The Put up. The demonstrate’s host, Charlemagne Tha God, requested his roundtable of visitors which state the Democrats may just have the funds for to lose within the midterm elections.

“Florida actually looks as if the d–ok of the rustic, so let’s do away with Florida,” Pass replied. “Let’s castrate Florida.”

The next day to come, Pass used to be instructed she used to be out, assets just about the placement mentioned.

Pass’ dismissal ignited a firestorm from over 40 black leaders throughout politics and media — together with NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson, who, consistent with assets, used to be some of the calls Pass made, at the side of her buddy, political commentator Angela Rye.

Johnson didn’t reply to requests for remark. Rye didn’t remark.

Within the letter, additionally signed by means of Colour of Exchange president Rashad Robinson and ex-ESPN character Jemele Hill, Pass’ supporters criticized MSNBC for deciding to not renew her contract only some weeks after Fox Information’ Carlson blasted her feedback on race and accused her of “genocidal communicate.”

“MSNBC isn’t allowed to not renew contracts?” a supply just about MSNBC shot again, including that the concept Pass’ ouster used to be associated with Carlson used to be “totally ridiculous. It’s a whole sham.”

“If MSNBC used to be going to fireplace everybody Tucker Carlson went after, there could be nobody left on TV,” the supply mentioned. “Getting attacked by means of Tucker Carlson is a badge of honor.”