MS NOW host Stephanie Ruhle became emotional as she signed off from “The 11th Hour” for the final time, thanking viewers and colleagues before transitioning to a new role as part of the network’s programming overhaul.
Ruhle is leaving the late-night program to anchor “Money, Power, Politics with Stephanie Ruhle,” which will air weekdays at 9 a.m.
Veteran MS NOW anchor Ali Velshi will assume hosting duties for “The 11th Hour” beginning Monday.
During her farewell monologue, Ruhle paused to collect herself before paying tribute to the show’s staff and loyal audience.
“All right, it is time,” she said.
“Now. I’m going to have to take a deep breath for my MVP. And my MVP is all things ‘The 11th Hour.’ This show. Our team. And especially you, our audience,” she began.
Ruhle thanked viewers for making the program part of their nightly routine and acknowledged the unique relationship she developed with them over the years.
“You don’t have this program on in the background,” she said.
“Instead, you are choosing to invite us into your home every night — sometimes giving me the privilege of being the last voice you hear before you go to sleep,” she said.
And I take that privilege seriously. So to you, I say thank you,” she continued.
Following her remarks, MS NOW aired a montage highlighting memorable moments from Ruhle’s tenure on the program.
After the retrospective concluded, Ruhle turned her attention to the person who will inherit the anchor chair.
She praised Velshi, describing him as both a trusted colleague and close friend.
“And I’m grateful to be leaving you all in such capable hands,” Ruhle said.
“My good friend and colleague of many years, my partner in crime, Ali Velshi, will be taking over the ‘11th Hour’ anchor chair on Monday.”
She continued by highlighting the qualities she believes make Velshi well-suited for the role.
“Ali is smart. He’s insightful. And most importantly, he cares,” she said. “He’s committed to the facts and never stops believing in the promise of this country.”
Ruhle also reflected on the support Velshi has provided throughout their years working together.
“So many times Ali has been my rock,” she said. “And now he can be yours, too.”
She closed her remarks with a personal message to her successor: “Ali — I can’t wait to see what you do with the place.”
The emotional farewell comes amid broader programming changes at MS NOW that were announced last month as the network reshuffles several key time slots.
Under the new lineup, Ruhle’s move to mornings will place her in a role focused on business, economics and politics, subjects she covered extensively before joining the evening schedule.
Before entering television journalism, Ruhle spent years in the financial industry and has built much of her broadcasting career around economic reporting.
Her departure from “The 11th Hour” marks the end of a run that saw her guide viewers through elections, economic uncertainty, international crises and major breaking news events.
Stephanie Ruhle ending of her last show the 11th Hour on Ms Now. I started crying 😭 because I watch her every single night. She will start working in the day time at 9 am on Ms Now instead. pic.twitter.com/5pDaeg51z8
— Tina Gehrer (@BluCalGir) June 13, 2026
Velshi, meanwhile, brings decades of reporting experience to the program and is already a familiar face to MS NOW audiences through his weekend shows and frequent weekday appearances.
While Ruhle’s schedule is changing, her farewell made clear that she views the transition not as a goodbye to viewers but as the beginning of a new chapter, Mediaite reported.
By the end of the broadcast, the veteran anchor had thanked her audience, praised her colleagues and officially handed the late-night desk to Velshi before signing off one final time from “The 11th Hour.”
