Black political group demands firing of Fox Business Network host
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An African American political organization is demanding that Eric Bolling, the host of Fox Business Network’s ‘Follow The Money’ be fired for making what they called racist comments about President Obama and saying that he hosts ‘hoods in the hizzy.’
ColorofChange.org, which bills itself as the nation’s largest African American online political organization, said it has collected 65,000 signatures demanding that Bolling be fired for comments, including one in which he said that Obama was ‘chugging 40s in Ireland’ while tornadoes ravaged Missouri.
Bolling also said that Obama had a habit of hosting ‘hoods in the hizzy,’ alluding to visits by the president of Gabon and rapper Common, who they said advocated violence against police.
The host on Monday addressed his earlier remarks, saying ‘we got a little fast and loose with the language and we know it’s being interpeted as being disrespectful. And for that, I’m sorry. We did go a bit too far.’
‘Fox Business and Fox News continue to be safe havens for commentators who try to conjure up race-based fears and peddle racial stereotypes as hard news,’ said a statement from the group. ‘If [Fox News head] Roger Ailes fires Bolling, it’s a step towards accountability. If he refuses, it will make it abundantly clear to the public and the media that stoking racial division is part of Fox’s agenda.’
Kevin Magee, executive vice president of Fox Business Network, said in a statement issued Thursday, ‘I spoke with Eric and his producer and we all agree the line was crossed, thus Monday night’s apology. We now consider the matter closed.’
For the record, 2:55 p.m., June 16: An earlier version of this post incorrectly referred to Fox Business News instead of Fox Business Network and said the comment about Obama in Ireland was made during last Friday’s shows. Also Bolling, not the group, said that Common advocated violence against police. Fox Business Network’s executive vice president Kevin Magee was misspelled as MaGee.
-- Greg Braxton
