President Donald Trump, talking with reporters late Friday afternoon was asked about the sudden and shocking exit of Fox News veteran Shep Smith, who announced on-air minutes earlier it would be his final report at the right wing cable channel. The president claimed he was unaware Smith had left – then proceeded to mock hm.
“Did you or your administration pressure Fox News to get rid of Shepard Smith?” a reporter asked Trump on the White House lawn.
“No I don’t know does he leaving?” Trump asked, slurring and mixing up his words.
“Oh that’s a shame,” Trump said, mockingly.
“Wait. Did I hear Shepard Smith is leaving,” Trump egged the reporter on. “Is he leaving because of bad ratings? Tell me – I don’t know. He had terrible ratings,” Trump claimed.
“If he’s leaving I assume he’s leaving because of his ratings. He had the worst ratings on Fox so there’s a reason,” Trump declared, all-of-a-sudden offered up.
A reporter then tried to ask Trump if Attorney General Bill Barr’s secret Wednesday meeting with Fox News parent company founder Rupert Murdoch had anything to do with Smith’s abrupt departure. The president, holding up his hand as if to say ‘stop,’ refused to answer.
“I wish Shepard Smith well,” Trump said, which would be the first time. Trump has often attacked Smith over his fact-based reporting.