New York Post

CROSS OFF THIS CABLE TV TALKER

MSNBC anchor ‘went overboard’

- By ALEXANDRA STEIGRAD

Tiffany Cross, the MSNBC weekend host known for controvers­ial comments on race and politics in America, is exiting the cable news outlet following a series of on-air outbursts that pushed the network’s execs over the edge, sources told The Post.

While Cross’ bumpy tenure at MSNBC appears to have come to an abrupt end, insiders said it followed multiple incidents in which she repeatedly dropped inflammato­ry comments on the air — despite multiple warnings from execs at the network, according to a source close to the network.

The final straw may have been Cross’ appearance on Thursday’s episode of Comedy Central’s “Hell of a Week with Charlamagn­e,” according to a source close to the network. The show’s host, Charlamagn­e tha God, asked his roundtable of guests which state the Democrats could afford to lose in the midterm elections.

“Florida literally looks like the d--k of the country, so let’s get rid of Florida,” Cross responded.

“Let’s castrate Florida.”

Cross, who is exiting MSNBC after two years, did not get a contract renewal from the NBC-Universal-owned network, the source said. Cross’ show, which aired from 10 a.m to noon on Saturdays, has been canceled as a result, according to the source. The new show will include a group of rotating anchors.

An MSNBC representa­tive declined to comment. Cross did not immediatel­y comment.

Relationsh­ip ‘frayed’

According to Variety, which first reported Cross’ exit, there has been speculatio­n that the anchor’s relationsh­ip with MSNBC “was becoming frayed.” An insider confirmed that her behavior “did not meet the standards” of the network.

Some of Cross’ other controvers­ial remarks included calling out the new cohost of “The View,” former Trump White House communicat­ions director Alyssa Farah Griffin, as a “tawdry turncoat Trump loyalist.” When speaking about the former president’s alleged election interferen­ce, she called for progressiv­es to “pick up a weapon and get involved” in the “war” for the country’s survival.

Cross also characteri­zed injuries in the NFL as a race issue, saying: “To see all these black men crashing into each other with a bunch of white owners, white coaches, and the complete disregard for black bodies and black life.”

The outspoken anchor also said white people should “sit out” giving their opinions on the controvers­y surroundin­g Will Smith slapping stand-up comic Chris Rock during the Academy Awards.

Variety reported that “the network is parting ways with an anchor who has proven popular with audiences it has sought to attract: Black viewers overall and Black female viewers in particular.”

 ?? ?? ’CAST AWAY: Anchor Tiffany Cross won’t be returning to her Saturday show on MSNBC after the network chose not to renew her contract due, sources say, to her combative comments.
’CAST AWAY: Anchor Tiffany Cross won’t be returning to her Saturday show on MSNBC after the network chose not to renew her contract due, sources say, to her combative comments.

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