On Friday, Fox Business host Eric Bolling offered the kind of racist remarks rarely seen on national television, and after some pushback, the right-wing host backpedalled last night.
“On Friday, we did a story about the president meeting with the president of Gabon,” Bolling said. “We got a little fast and loose with the language, and we know it’s been interpreted as being disrespectful, and for that, I’m sorry. We did go a bit too far.”
I don’t mean to sound ungracious, and I’m glad Bolling is “sorry,” but characterizing his unabashed, leave-the-dog-whistle-at-home-style racism as “a bit too far” suggests Bolling doesn’t fully appreciate the situation.
On Friday night, Bolling noted that President Obama will welcome the president of Gabon to the White House, telling viewers, “Guess who’s coming to dinner? A dictator. Mr. Obama shares a laugh with one of Africa’s kleptocrats. It’s not first time he’s had a hoodlum in the hizzouse.” At that point, viewers were shown footage of the rapper Common.
Bolling went on to say, “Smile for the birdie. Our president’s sitting with one of Africa’s most wanted. It’s not the first time he’s had a hood in the big crib.” This time, an image of Ali Bongo with a flashing tooth was aired. Bolling added that Obama and Gabon perhaps “watched a basketball game” together, and asked, “So what’s with all the hoods in the hizzy?”
What was this dude thinking?
Not the best moment for Fox Business.
More from Jeffrey Goldberg.
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