A Fox News host apologized on air on Thursday, when a guest equated Hillary Clinton to herpes.
On Thanksgiving, the network ran a segment on a recent New York Times report which revealed Donald Trump thought about instructing the Department of Justice to prosecute Clinton. To discuss the report, Fox host Rick Leventhal brought on Anna Paulina, the director of Hispanic engagement at the right wing, nonprofit organization Turning Point USA.
However, it seemed like Paulina had prepared to speak on border issues when Leventhal pointed the conversation to Clinton’s emails. “I am amazed that with everything going on in the world, we still have Hillary Clinton in the headlines,” Leventhal said.
“She won’t go away. She’s like herpes.” Paulina replied, around the one minute mark.
The comment threw Leventhal off, and he tried to change the topic while show producers cut the segment. “Okay, that’s news that we are breaking here,” he added, clearly uncomfortable. “Not appropriate…”
Leventhal continued the discussion with political analyst Doug Schoen, and apologized for “some of the language that was used in the segment.”
When Thursday’s segment was over, anchor Arthel Neville also apologized for Paulina’s commentary, on behalf of Fox News. “We want to reiterate that we do not condone the language that Anna Paulina just displayed here, and we apologize to Secretary Clinton for that,” she said. “Fox News does not condone her sentiment. It’s Thanksgiving guys, lighten up. Come on!”
Paulina released her apology on Friday, alleging that she was mistakenly brought on to that segment. “Yesterday on Fox, I was placed on the wrong segment & in the confusion made a brash and unprofessional joke,” Paulina tweeted. “To Fox and those watching, I am deeply sorry.”
