Born in United States · Nationality American — television / journalism / political commentary / sport / social media

Keith Olbermann

Media and journalism Politics and government

Documented profile covering 6 controversies, including “2008: MSNBC removes Olbermann and Chris Matthews as main anchors for political coverage” and “2009–2012: Insults directed at Michelle Malkin and S.E. Cupp, sexism accusations and subsequent apology”.

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Profile No. 2141 · Updated on 12 October 2026

6Documented controversies

8Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

February 2015

2015: Twitter insults directed at Penn State students and supporters, apology and ESPN suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

In a Twitter dispute concerning Penn State's THON charity fundraising, Olbermann directs insulting terms at other users and the university. Following a strong reaction, he apologises and ESPN suspends him from his programme for the rest of the week.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
ESPNKeith Olbermann suspended by ESPN after Penn State Twitter commentsPressVery high reliability
[2]
The GuardianESPN suspends Keith Olbermann after Twitter spat with Penn StatePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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March 2012–March 2013

2012–2013: Dismissal from Current TV, mutual allegations, $50 million lawsuit and confidential settlement

Civil / administrative proceedings

Current TV dismisses Olbermann in 2012, accusing him, among other things, of professional misconduct. Olbermann responds by alleging breach of contract and seeking approximately $50 million; Current files its own claims.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
CBS NewsOlbermann out at Current TVPressHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianKeith Olbermann and Current TV settle lawsuitPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2009–March 2012

2009–2012: Insults directed at Michelle Malkin and S.E. Cupp, sexism accusations and subsequent apology

No legal proceedings

Olbermann is criticised for personal attacks on commentators Michelle Malkin and S.E. Cupp, notably in his Worst Persons segment. In 2012, he apologises to both women and suspends the segment again.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
CNNCNN Reliable Sources transcript: Olbermann apologies and criticismBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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21 January 2011

2011: Abrupt end of Countdown and departure from MSNBC

No legal proceedings

Olbermann announces at the end of a programme that Countdown is ending immediately and that his contract with MSNBC is being terminated. The announcement comes after a notoriously tense relationship with management and shortly after his 2010 suspension.

Sources · 1

[1]
Los Angeles TimesKeith Olbermann leaves MSNBCPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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November 2010

2010: Donations to three Democratic candidates without prior approval, suspension by MSNBC

No legal proceedings

MSNBC suspends Olbermann without pay after donations to three Democratic candidates are disclosed, including two made on a day when one of the candidates appeared on his programme. NBC News at the time required prior approval for this type of political contribution.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
CBS NewsKeith Olbermann suspended from MSNBC over political donationsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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September 2008

2008: MSNBC removes Olbermann and Chris Matthews as main anchors for political coverage

Civil / administrative proceedings

MSNBC removes Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews from their roles as principal anchors for several major live political events following repeated criticism of the mixing of partisan commentary with news anchoring.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
The Washington PostMSNBC Drops Olbermann, Matthews as News AnchorsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Chris Matthews1 documented reference
- 2008: MSNBC removes Olbermann and Chris Matthews as main anchors for political coverage Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

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