Video: Chris Matthews Abruptly Retires From MSNBC Just Days After Feminist Groups Called for His Firing

FILE – In this Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 file photo, Chris Matthews, host of “Hardball” on MSNBC, is pictured at the NBC Universal summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

The last several weeks have been hella bad for Chris Matthews.

He’s faced a wave of criticism from supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders over his relentlessly negative coverage of the Sanders campaign, even comparing Sanders’ win in Nevada to the Nazis invading France (Matthews would later apologize). He had an embarrassing meltdown over the Iowa Democratic caucus debacle.

Just last week, Matthews confused Sen. Lindsey Graham’s general election opponent Jaime Harrison, who is black, with Sen. Tim Scott – on live TV. That same week, he badgered Sen. Elizabeth Warren over her “kill it” attack on Michael Bloomberg during the debate, asking her 6 times in a minute and half segment if she really felt Bloomberg said “kill it” and what her evidence was to back up her claim.

His treatment of Warren prompted calls from feminist groups for his firing. Right after that, a new #MeToo claim against Matthews from journalist Laura Bassett surfaced. Matthews was also noticeably absent from MSNBC’s coverage of the SC Democratic presidential primary Saturday, prompting speculation as to what might be going on behind the scenes.

He ended that speculation to some degree on tonight’s edition of “Hardball” by abruptly announcing his retirement, and apologizing to women he has offended with his reportedly crude behavior.

Watch:

Wow. Chris Matthews just retired on air. pic.twitter.com/aqXliUL8OU

— Mike Ciandella (@MikeCiandella) March 3, 2020

Here’s the transcript of his statement:

Chris Matthews’ full statement on his resignation on the air tonight: pic.twitter.com/oOva3b8Gr9

— Paul Farhi (@farhip) March 3, 2020

What’s particularly intriguing about his announcement is that it appears his colleagues didn’t know about it beforehand. Also, instead of completing the show, Matthews walked off set and didn’t return after he made his statement at the beginning of the program:

Apparently Chris Matthews didn’t tell anyone he was about to resign on-air? He didn’t even finish the rest of @hardball — he just said he was resigning, it cut to commercial, and then Steve Kornacki was sitting there in front of the camera stunned when commercials ended.

— Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) March 3, 2020

And here's the shot when the commercial break ended and the camera cut to a stunned Steve Kornacki, who was obviously not prepared for Chris Matthews' announcement, nor to fill in the hour of airtime when #Hardball would usually run. pic.twitter.com/idqhwvi3rl

— Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) March 3, 2020

Wow, MSNBC in complete disarray as Matthews walks off. Kornacki clearly upset.

— Tom Watson (@tomwatson) March 3, 2020

A visibly stunned Steve Kornacki just came on MSNBC air:

"Um, that was a lot to take in. And i’m sure you’re still absorbing that. And I am too."

He calls Matthews "a giant, he's a legend, it's been an honor for me to work with him."

— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) March 3, 2020

There are conflicting reports as to whether this was a mutual decision or whether he was forced out by the higher-ups. In any event, his co-workers at MSNBC and NBC are all weighing in on social media about what a wonderful “mentor and friend” he was, yada yada, while pretty much everyone else is like “good riddance.”

Though Matthews is now out at the struggling news network, one mystery about him endures: