Overview
- Velshi operated the network’s Big Board on Nov. 4, marking MSNBC’s first national election map night without Steve Kornacki.
- Viewers on Reddit and X shifted from surprise to strong approval, praising Velshi’s analysis and turning his vest into the viral “ALI VESTi” meme.
- Early Nielsen figures show MSNBC led cable news in primetime election coverage during Velshi’s debut at the board.
- Kornacki remains with NBC under his current deal and appeared on NBC programming Tuesday rather than on MSNBC.
- The on-air change comes as Comcast prepares a Versant spin-off and MSNBC plans to rebrand as MS NOW on Nov. 15, ending routine use of NBC News staff.