Tom Hanks Mocks MSNBC's Low Viewership During Live Interview at Obama Presidential Center Opening

Chicago, IL – Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks took a lighthearted but pointed jab at MSNBC’s struggling ratings during a live on-air interview at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center on June 18, 2026.

While speaking with MSNBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff, Hanks interrupted the introduction and directly referenced the network’s small audience. “What can I do for the 800 people watching MSNOW?” Hanks quipped.

When Soboroff pushed back, Hanks doubled down with a smile: “Alright, add a zero to it if you need to.” Soboroff took the roast in stride, replying that the audience was now in the millions thanks to Hanks’ appearance. Hanks laughed and responded, “I gotta tell ya, I can hear the clicks happening before my very eyes,” before proceeding with the interview.

The exchange occurred amid a star-studded crowd that included former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden, along with Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and other high-profile guests. The moment quickly went viral, drawing widespread commentary online about the state of legacy cable news viewership.

MSNBC, which has undergone a rebrand or informal reference as “MSNOW” in some contexts, has seen significant audience erosion in recent years. In the first quarter of 2026, the network averaged roughly 691,000 total day viewers and about 1.1 million in primetime — trailing far behind competitors like Fox News. The lighthearted exchange highlighted ongoing challenges for traditional left-leaning cable outlets in retaining audiences amid shifting media consumption habits.

Hanks, known for his longstanding support of Democratic causes and the Obama family, appeared in good spirits at the event celebrating the opening of the 19-acre campus in Jackson Park, which includes a museum, library, and public gardens. The playful dig at the network’s ratings was delivered without apparent malice, and Soboroff handled it professionally.

The clip spread rapidly across social media, with many conservatives praising Hanks for acknowledging the reality of declining viewership at MSNBC, while some viewers saw it as a rare moment of candor from a Hollywood figure. The interaction underscores broader trends in media, where even sympathetic celebrities occasionally highlight the shrinking reach of once-dominant cable news channels.

No further comment from Hanks or MSNBC was immediately available following the viral moment. The Obama Presidential Center officially opens to the public on June 19.