Former MSNBC host Joy Reid says she is no longer a New York Giants fan because Jaxson Dart introduced Trump
Joy Reid says she will stop cheering for the New York Giants after quarterback Jaxson Dart introduced President Trump
A former MSNBC host has announced that she can no longer root for the New York Giants after the team’s newest quarterback, Jaxson Dart, welcomed President Donald Trump to the stage at a recent Giants‑fan event.
Reid, who was dismissed from MSNBC in 2025, appeared on the show Jack Cocchiarella to explain her decision. She said that the moment Dart introduced Trump—an act she deemed “unacceptable” for a professional athlete—was the final straw that forced her to withdraw her support for the franchise.
A controversial introduction
During the Giants’ fan gathering in May, Dart used the word “pleasured” when describing his meeting with the former president. Reid called the usage “idiotic,” saying, “First of all, he’s an idiot. … What do you mean ‘you’re pleasured to meet the president?’ Like, is English your first language?”
Reid added that her reaction went beyond a single phrase. She criticized Trump, calling him “not a normal president” and “a wannabe king.” She further linked the controversy to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence from Britain, remarking that “we’re in the 250th anniversary of our divorce from the king of England,” and that Trump’s demeanor was reminiscent of a monarch.
Political expectations of athletes
Reid’s comments extended to broader issues of sports and politics. She claimed that athletes are expected to “represent America” and that “if you’re waving the flag, that’s fine. If you’re challenging the flag or challenging the status quo, that’s a problem.” She cited Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted to Vietnam as an example of a black athlete who faced backlash for speaking out, arguing that “the only way to be an acceptable black athlete is to also wave the flag.”
Reid also suggested that Dart benefited from white privilege, and she said that the other Giants players who had faced violent‑crime allegations had not caused her to reconsider her allegiance. “It took a player welcoming Trump on stage,” she said.
Questioning her fandom
Reid, who had never publicly discussed her Giants fandom before this incident, claimed that she would no longer support the team. Journalists noted that her departure from the Giants was a thin rationale, especially given that the team’s quarterback had just been drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. In an interview, she admitted that she was “repulsed as a Giants fan” and would no longer root for the franchise.
The announcement has prompted discussion about the intersection of sports, politics and race. While some observers question the legitimacy of her claims—such as whether she can name key Giants players—others point to the broader trend of athletes using their platforms for political commentary.
A broader context
Joy Reid’s decision follows a period of high visibility and controversy for the Giants. The team’s quarterback, Jaxson Dart, has already attracted scrutiny for both his on‑field performance and off‑field conduct. This latest incident adds a new layer to the franchise’s public relations challenges.
For Reid, the decision marks a new chapter after her departure from MSNBC. Whether she will return to the political conversation remains to be seen, but her departure from supporting the Giants has already sparked debate among fans and commentators alike.
