Nicolle Wallace returns to MSNBC after months-long maternity leave as fans say new mom is here to ‘save democracy’
BELOVED MSNBC news anchor Nicolle Wallace has hit the ground running with a new special as she returns to the network following a months-long absence.
The highly-anticipated date comes after Deadline: White House viewers repeatedly quizzed the network and the show’s temporary hosts when Wallace was returning.
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Nicolle Wallace returned to Deadline: White House on Monday following a months-long break while on maternity leaveCredit: MSNBC
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Nicolle Wallace and her husband, Michael S. Schmidt, welcomed their daughter, Isabella Schmidt, via surrogate in November 2023Credit: MSNBC
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‘I’ve missed everyone,’ Wallace as she began Monday’s showCredit: MSNBC
“Well, hello everybody, it’s 4 o’clock in New York. I miss saying that,” Wallace addressed viewers at the start of Monday’s show.
“It is so very, very, very, good to be back with you. I’ve missed everyone.”
Hours before Wallace went live, viewers raved in excitement about her return.
“Her kiddos will miss her, but if they are to have a future, their mama has to help us save democracy NOW. Welcome back,
@NicolleDWallace!” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another shared, “Not a moment too soon. Can’t believe how much Nicole was missed. Others filled in were good but there’s only 1 Nicole.”
Viewers were sent into a frenzy on Friday after Wallace was featured on Deadline during the show’s second hour to announce her return.
Wallace, who has been away from hosting duties since November 2023 after welcoming her baby girl, returned at 4 pm with a new series, American Autocracy.
During her time off, Wallace, 51, said that she had time to consider the direction of the government and the potential for a system shift for the worse.
“I did catch some of the arguments in the election interference case where this question of whether Trump could simply have Seal Team 6 go after his enemies was posed as a legal question,” she said on Friday.
“I thought that as a political [question], it is something the whole country should be grappling with.”
Nicolle Wallace shocks fans with surprise MSNBC drop-in after months-long maternity leave
The new show will cover the potential for the American government to turn to an autocracy if the wrong person comes to power, per Wallace.
SHE’S BACK
Since taking her leave from MSNBC in November 2023, various reporters have been rotating hosting duties on Deadline: White House.
Alicia Menendez, who frequently filled the seat, said viewers have eagerly awaited Wallace’s return to the point that they’ve been “sleuthing” on MSNBC’s website to determine how long the company’s maternity leave is.
“OK, Monday. Alright, now everyone on X, you can stop Googling NBC’s maternity leave policy, as you sleuths have all been doing to try and figure out the maximum amount of time,” Menendez said on Friday.
Wallace’s daughter, Isabella “Izzy” Sloane Schmidt, is her first child with her husband, Michael S. Schmidt, whom she married in 2022.
The beloved anchor is also a mom to a 12-year-old son, Liam Wallace, with her ex-husband Mark Wallace.
Shortly after Isabella arrived, Wallace shared a sweet photo of the newborn peacefully asleep while snuggling in a pink blanket and matching hat.
