Late Update [7:08 pm ET]: MSNBC has suspended Schultz for one week.
MSNBC host Ed Schultz is known for his hyperbolic attacks on Republicans but it looks like he may have crossed the line on his show yesterday by labeling Laura Ingraham a “right wing slut.”
“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. “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.”
The epithet against conservative radio host Ingraham, which was first flagged by The Daily Caller, is quickly making the rounds online. TPM reached out to representatives for MSNBC and Ed Schultz for comment but did not immediately get a response. A spokesman for Ingraham told TPM she had no comment at this time.
This isn’t the first time Schultz has gotten into trouble for bashing the right. Earlier this year he apologized for calling Republicans “bastards” during his TV show. Given the even greater severity of his remarks on Tuesday, it seems likely an apology — at the very least — will follow soon.
Update: Laura Ingraham posted the following response to her Facebook page:
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. Is it only available online? 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.
Update: Schultz delivered an emotional apology for his remarks on MSNBC Wednesday and said he will take an indefinite leave from his show. Responding on Twitter, Ingraham said that she had accepted his apology.
Here’s audio of Schultz discussing Ingraham:
Benjy Sarlin
Benjy Sarlin is a reporter for Talking Points Memo and co-writes the campaign blog, TPM2012. He previously reported for The Daily Beast/Newsweek as their Washington Correspondent and covered local politics for the New York Sun.
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