For the second time in as many weeks, another far-left and controversial figure has quit the family of Comcast-owned news networks. Last week, NBC correspondent Miguel Almaguer announced on Instagram that he would be leaving the leftist network after nearly 20 years; a period in which he had submitted a plethora of liberally biased reporting. Former MSNBC weekend host Mehdi Hasan would later follow him out the door.
“Seen a lot. Done a lot. Learned a lot. Thankful for my nearly 2 decade [sic] long run at NBC News. But more than anything grateful for those in the trenches with me. With them it was more an adventure than work,” he touted his time with NBC.
Almaguer concluded the post with his hope for the future: “Change is hard and goodbyes aren't easy. But turning the page is exciting. In news ... I love a great last line. This one is still being written.”
In his biggest controversy, Almaguer was suspended in 2022 after reporting on the home invasion of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) California mansion. In his original offending report, Almaguer suggested that Pelosi’s husband Paul was seen on police body camera acting strangely:
After a knock and announcement, the front door was opened by Mr. Pelosi, the 82-year-old did not immediately declare an emergency or try to leave his home, but instead began walking several feet back into the foyer towards the assailant and away from police. It's unclear if the 82-year-old was already injured or what his mental state was, say sources… Why Pelosi didn't try to flee or tell responding officers he was in distress is unclear.
The NBC reporter was accused of “inflame[ing] right-wing conspiracy theories.” And, as noted by TV Newser, “Upon returning from suspension, Almaguer saw his screen time on the network reduced considerably.”
Almaguer was also one of the journalists who helped to spread actor Jussie Smollett’s hoax about being attacked by MAGA hat-wearing assailants. “Certainly, there are many indications of a hate crime here. They are looking for two suspects who were apparently wearing Make America Great Again hats,” he reported at the time.
The day after former President Trump’s 2016 victory, Almaguer was one of the NBC journalists who wanted to fan the flames of racial tensions. “For 16-year-old Valerie Travi, who was born in the US, this election seems more like an eviction…With Clinton, she saw hope. With Trump, helplessness,” he lamented.
Almost three years later, NBC warned that Russia was trying to stoke racial tensions in America by promoting viral videos of racially motivated incidents. Almaguer was one of the journalists who also peddled the viral videos, giving them more traction than they deserved.
Most disturbingly, Almaguer once hyped California’s implementation of an assisted suicide law. “Elizabeth Wallner is a survivor; but today, the 52-year-old now says she has the freedom to control her death,” he boasted in 2016. “Starting today under California's end-of-life act, terminally ill patients can request medical aid in dying.”
So far, there’s no word yet on where Almaguer will be popping up next.
