Trent Condon Out at KXNO After Speaking Out on iHeart Layoffs

Trent Condon, a prominent Des Moines sports radio host, is no longer with KXNO after iHeartMedia deemed his heartfelt comments about laid-off colleagues “controversial.” Condon's departure follows last Tuesday's nationwide iHeartRadio layoffs, which cut several local KXNO hosts and prompted longtime host Ken Miller to boycott his own 30th-anniversary retirement show.

Why is Trent Condon no longer on KXNO?

Condon announced his departure on Monday, stating that corporate took issue with his honest assessment of the layoffs. He was not even a direct iHeartMedia employee; he purchased his two-hour noon to 2 p.m. time block from the station. Despite this independent arrangement, speaking truth about the local impact of corporate decisions cost him his platform.

“My days at KXNO are over,” Condon wrote on X. “My comments were considered 'controversial' from corporate about my colleagues that were let go. I stand by what I said.”

How did Ken Miller respond to the iHeartMedia layoffs?

The corporate cuts hit KXNO hard last Tuesday. Ken Miller, a staple of Des Moines sports radio, was set to celebrate 30 years on the air and retire on Wednesday. Instead of hosting his final show, Miller chose to stand in solidarity with his fired colleagues and refused to appear.

Condon addressed Miller's absence on his show, praising the decision to prioritize people over corporate protocol.

“Today was supposed to be Ken's final day. Ken decided not to come in. Standing up for his friends and colleagues, doing it in a way that he said he just didn't feel comfortable,” Condon said, via Barrett Media. “He talked to everybody. People tried to talk him into coming on here today to do his final show. On the anniversary of 30 years of sports talk radio starting in Des Moines. A place where people said it could never work, and it worked for 30 years. Ken said no.”

Were the KXNO layoffs necessary for the station's survival?

Condon pushed back hard against the narrative that the layoffs were a financial necessity for the local station. He argued that KXNO was actually succeeding and generating revenue, proving that local content works. The problem, he explained, is that distant corporate executives do not care about local markets like Des Moines or Sioux City.

“My heart aches for the people, my friends, and for my colleagues. For the people that made the station what it is. The people that lost their jobs yesterday as corporate came down with a mandate of the layoffs,” Condon said. “This was a station that was bringing in revenue. This is not a station that is hemorrhaging money. I know the financials, because I work in the financials. From the corporate, it's not about Des Moines or Sioux City. It's not about the little places.”

Condon noted that this kind of top-down corporate consolidation hurts workers across all industries, not just radio. When massive corporations buy up local outlets, the community ultimately pays the price. Local radio is supposed to be a space where community voices are heard, whether you cheer for the Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Bulldogs, or Panthers. Instead, that local voice was stripped away by executives who have no ties to the community.

Could iHeartMedia reverse the KXNO layoffs?

This is not the first time iHeartMedia has slashed local jobs in Des Moines only to face community outrage. In 2020, the company parted ways with six KXNO employees during another round of nationwide cuts. Those layoffs sparked intense local backlash, and several hosts refused to air their shows in protest. Ultimately, KXNO reversed course and rehired everyone who had been let go.

So far, iHeartMedia and KXNO have not commented on Condon's departure or clarified whether he was fired or simply forced out. Condon has stated he will continue appearing on the Locked On Iowa podcast and is exploring conversations with other outlets.

Why did Trent Condon leave KXNO?

Trent Condon is no longer with KXNO because iHeartMedia considered his on-air comments about laid-off colleagues “controversial.” Condon, who independently purchased his airtime, criticized corporate mandates that cut local jobs despite the station generating revenue, and he refused to back down from his statements.

Did Ken Miller host his final show at KXNO?

No, Ken Miller did not host his final show. He was scheduled to celebrate 30 years of sports talk radio in Des Moines and retire, but he chose to boycott the broadcast in protest of iHeartMedia's layoffs, standing in solidarity with his fired colleagues.

Has KXNO faced backlash for iHeartMedia layoffs before?

Yes, in 2020, iHeartMedia laid off six KXNO employees, which led to local backlash and hosts refusing to broadcast in protest. The station eventually reversed its decision and rehired all the laid-off employees.