In a remarkably turbulent moment for live political broadcasting, an MSNBC interview with former president Donald J. Trump was abruptly cut off on Monday after he launched into what several network employees described as a “furious, uncontrolled tirade,” during which he allegedly referred to the host as a “dirty lying bastard.” While the remark has circulated widely through social-media clips and internal leaks, the network has declined to confirm the exact wording.
The interruption triggered immediate confusion on-air and behind the scenes, according to three individuals with direct knowledge of the broadcast who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal operations. The control-room feed reportedly flickered in and out for several seconds before the segment was removed entirely and replaced with a pre-scheduled commercial block.
A Sudden Cut and a Scramble Behind the Scenes
Producers inside the control room initiated what staff members referred to as an emergency “mute-and-hold” protocol — a last-resort measure generally reserved for unexpected profanity or legally sensitive statements made during a live broadcast. According to two employees, the protocol was activated within seconds of the outburst.
“People were shouting over each other trying to figure out whether we were still live,” said one staffer, calling the moment “the most chaotic thing I’ve seen on this side of the glass.” Another staff member described the scene as “a mad attempt to keep the feed from spiraling further.”
The host, whose name MSNBC has not publicly referenced in statements about the incident, appeared visibly startled before the network cut the segment. It is unclear what question or exchange prompted the outburst; only partial audio of the segment has circulated online.
Executives Rush Into Emergency Meetings
Within minutes, senior MSNBC executives convened in what staffers described as an “emergency editorial huddle” to determine how to address the rapidly spreading footage. The network’s legal team was immediately briefed, according to two employees familiar with the conversations, and began assessing whether any statements made during the exchange carried legal or regulatory implications.
By late afternoon, multiple advertisers had reportedly contacted the network with questions regarding the broadcast failure and the content that preceded it. A representative for one major advertiser, speaking anonymously, said that the company sought “clarity about how the situation was handled and what safeguards are in place.”
MSNBC has not released a detailed public explanation, offering only a brief statement acknowledging a “technical and editorial interruption.”
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