Susanna Reid on Co-Hosting US Election Coverage with Ed Balls: ‘He’s a Political Veteran’
On November 4, Good Morning Britain presenters Susanna Reid and Ed Balls will co-host their ITV show before flying to Washington, D.C., to cover the 2024 U.S. election. The pair will host an election results programme on the morning of November 6, where Ed’s political experience will play a crucial role in their analysis.
In an interview with Radio Times, Susanna, 53, expressed confidence in Ed’s expertise, noting how his political background will enhance their coverage. “He’s steeped in politics, a political veteran even at his very young age! He’s not just an expert on British politics – he’s a Senior Fellow at Harvard, so an expert on American politics, too,” she remarked. Susanna emphasized that Ed, a former politician, will bring an “experienced eye” to the show, complementing her own extensive broadcasting experience, via the Express.
Since joining Good Morning Britain in 2014, Susanna has covered two U.S. elections alongside her former co-host, Piers Morgan. Reflecting on her previous election coverage, Susanna shared, “We did the 2016 election and the 2020 election. Piers, as we know, had a very close relationship with Donald Trump, and in 2016 Piers called it for Trump very early on, saying, ‘Don’t underestimate this man. He’s a winner. He knows how to strike a deal.’”
Susanna recalled that Piers stood out among media voices in 2016, many of whom were convinced Hillary Clinton would win. His bold prediction proved accurate, cementing his reputation for controversial yet insightful commentary. However, Piers’ tenure on Good Morning Britain ended abruptly in March 2021, following a heated debate regarding Meghan Markle. He left after refusing to apologize for his remarks about the Duchess of Sussex. Susanna has since co-hosted the show with Ed, who joined her in November 2021.
Addressing how she manages criticism, Susanna said she doesn’t let social media negativity affect her. “I’m not going to take on board the criticism of trolls. But you do want to take into account what viewers are telling you about their own experiences. That was particularly important over the course of lockdown and Partygate.”
As a mother of three, Susanna keeps her focus on her role as a presenter, undeterred by online negativity. “What people think about me is so low on my radar. Obviously, you can filter… I choose what to look at, and what not to look at,” she added.
With the upcoming election, Susanna and Ed’s coverage promises to offer viewers a blend of political insight and seasoned broadcasting, bringing a fresh perspective to this pivotal moment in U.S. politics.