Respected MSNBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent, Andrea Mitchell, has announced her decision to step down from her full-time anchor role for “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” on MSNBC. This change took effect on February 7, 2025. Her exit comes as MSNBC is currently dealing with a significant decline in viewership and undergoing considerable organizational shifts.
At the age of 78, Mitchell shared news of her forthcoming departure in the autumn of last year, as MSNBC was grappling with the need to reduce expenses. “After 16 years of being in the anchor chair every day, I want time to do more of what I love the most: connecting, listening, and reporting in the field,” she told her viewers on October 29.
MSNBC is among the networks struggling with the industry-wide trend of cord-cutting, prompting them to introduce significant cost-cutting measures. Traditional media outlets such as MSNBC and CNN are facing financial instability as viewers increasingly choose streaming platforms over cable news.
Mitchell’s decision to step down follows the departures of other key figures at NBC’s news division. Chuck Todd, the former “Meet the Press” moderator, left after nearly two decades, and said in his departure memo, “There’s never a perfect time to leave a place that’s been a professional home for so long, but I’m pretty excited about a few new projects that are on the cusp of going from ‘pie in the sky’ to ‘near reality.’” Todd wrote.
Rashida Jones, the first black woman to head a major television network, resigned as president of MSNBC after a four-year term. Her departure coincided with Comcast’s decision to split MSNBC and CNBC from NBC News, forming a separate company under the leadership of executive Mark Lazarus.
Since beginning her career at NBC News in 1978, Mitchell’s work has spanned over seven presidential administrations and she has provided coverage for every presidential campaign since 1980. She has been a presence at every national political convention since 1972, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in political journalism.
In a memo within the company, NBC executives commended Mitchell as a highly trusted voice in the realms of foreign policy and domestic politics. They particularly noted her ability to secure high-profile interviews that generated headlines.
When she first revealed her decision, Mitchell underscored the importance of field reporting, noting that the victor of the forthcoming election would have to manage two active international wars and serious domestic political divisions.
Despite leaving her daily anchoring duties, Mitchell will continue her roles as NBC News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and chief Washington correspondent, which she has held since 1994. She will persist in reporting for NBC News and MSNBC across all platforms, contributing to breaking news coverage and principal political events.
