MSNBC has suspended primetime host Ed Schultz, host of “The Ed Show,” for one week without pay for comments he made on his radio program Tuesday that included calling Fox News host Laura Ingraham a “slut.” Schultz will address the issue Wednesday night on his MSNBC show, then begin his leave of absence.
“President Obama is going to be visiting Joplin, Mo., on Sunday but you know what they’re talking about, like this right-wing slut, what’s her name?, Laura Ingraham?” he said on his radio show, according to TPM, which notes that Schultz has called Republicans “bastards” during his TV show. “Yeah, she’s a talk slut. You see, she was, back in the day, praising President Reagan when he was drinking a beer overseas. But now that Obama’s doing it, they’re working him over.”
Ingraham, via Facebook, responded, stating, “Re. the crude comments made about me by Ed Schultz on his radio program: First, I was surprised to learn that Ed Schultz actually hosted a radio show. Â Is it only available online? Â Second, I have to get back to recording the audio edition of my new book “Of Thee I Zing.” Now I’m tempted to insert one additional zing–about men who preach civility but practice misogyny.”
Ingraham indeed is writing a book, “Of Thee I Zing.”
MSNBC released a statement saying, “MSNBC management met with Ed Schultz this afternoon and accepted his offer to take one week of unpaid leave for the remarks he made yesterday on his radio program. Ed will address these remarks on his show tonight, and immediately following begin his leave. Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Former MSNBC primetime “Countdown” host Keith Olbermann, who briefly dated Ingraham at one time, stated via Twitter, “There is no excuse for any political commentator calling any woman a “slut,” least of all Laura @IngrahamAngle”