Former MSNBC host Joy Reid has expressed a desire for the United States to be divided, suggesting that conservatives could form their own separate nation. Reid stated during an appearance on Wajahat Ali’s Left Hook podcast that she struggles to consider conservatives as her countrymen, citing her perception of their views as hateful and cruel.
Reid elaborated on her feelings by saying, "I struggle with the idea that I’m supposed to feel that these are my countrymen." She specifically mentioned conservative figures like Milo Yiannopoulos and Laura Loomer, characterizing them as representative of a broader conservative ideology. "These people hate us. They hate anyone who isn’t them," Reid asserted, adding that conservatives are "full of rage, hate, [and] cruelty" and are "mean."
She drew a distinction between the potential outcomes of liberal and conservative political victories, stating, "if we win, they get healthcare; when they win, we get destroyed, killed." As a potential solution, Reid referenced the division of Sudan into Sudan and South Sudan, floated the idea of creating "America A and America B." She envisioned conservatives living in "America B" where they could "be cruel to each other, and have a circle jerk of hate and meanness and awfulness." Reid stated that she would "take that deal" if a way to split the country existed.
Reid also mused about Republicans "just leav[ing] us alone with our liberal, goofy, give everybody healthcare, let everybody vote, let everybody read books." She wondered aloud about the possibility of liberals and conservatives existing in their own separate countries.
The conversation was reportedly sparked by a discussion of Yiannopoulos's recent deportation from the United States. Yiannopoulos, a conservative commentator, was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and placed in holding after overstaying his visa. Laura Loomer took credit for his arrest and deportation.
Reid departed MSNBC in February 2025. She has since launched a Substack and a show on her YouTube channel.