On Friday’s Hannity show on FNC, host Sean Hannity challenged former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw to speak out in response to Janeane Garofalo’s recent tirade on MSNBC host Keith Olbermann’s Countdown show on Thursday, a screed which seemed to have Olbermann’s approval as he appeared to agree with her accusations of racism against Tax Day Tea Party participants.
During a discussion with FNC’s Kimberly Guilfoyle and conservative columnist S.E. Cupp, Hannity addressed Brokaw as he introduced the clip: "I want to address this specifically to Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw, are you proud of this?"
Then played a portion of Garofalo’s comments:
JANEANE GAROFALO CLIP #1: You know, there is for more interesting than seeing a bunch of racists become confused and angry at a speech they're not quite certain what he's saying. It sounds right to them, and then it doesn't make sense, which – let's be very honest about what this is about. It's not about bashing Democrats, it's not about taxes. They have no idea what the Boston Tea Party was about.
KEITH OLBERMANN: That's right.
GAROFALO: They don't know their history at all. This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging red necks.
GAROFALO CLIP #2: -but these people, all white, for the most part, unless there's some people with Stockholm Syndrome.
After some discussion, Hannity addressed Brokaw again: "Tom Brokaw, are you proud of the brand that you built all these years? Are you proud that that is on NBC News?"
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Friday, April 17, Hannity show on FNC:
SEAN HANNITY: All right, now I think, we had on Hannity and Colmes and throughout the years and on my radio show I had often had Tim Russert on, on a regular basis. I thought Tim Russert was a journalist's journalist, and I think he's missed, and think he was one of the best that was ever been in the business. And I want to play, this is NBC, ladies and gentlemen, and these are comments that were made on NBC News, their news network last night, and I want to address this specifically to Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw, are you proud of this?
JANEANE GAROFALO CLIP #1: You know, there is for more interesting than seeing a bunch of racists become confused and angry at a speech they're not quite certain what he's saying. It sounds right to them, and then it doesn't make sense, which – let's be very honest about what this is about. It's not about bashing Democrats, it's not about taxes. They have no idea what the Boston Tea Party was about.
KEITH OLBERMANN: That's right.
GAROFALO: They don't know their history at all. This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging red necks.
GAROFALO CLIP #2: -but these people, all white, for the most part, unless there's some people with Stockholm Syndrome.
HANNITY: If you’re an African-American, and by the way, can you believe this?
CUPP: Unbelievable.
KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE: It's disgusting, foul, and offensive. And hello, Janeane, we need to hear your apology. I think she needs to issue a public apology.
S.E. CUPP, CONSERVATIVE COLUMNIST: Well, I wouldn't hold your breath. She's, I mean, this is nothing new for her, and you know, I can only speak from experience, I went to the New York City tea party where I spoke ... we had three black people speak on behalf of this movement. You know, I don't think anyone really takes Janeane Garofalo that seriously.
GUILFOYLE: Why does she get away with it, though, Sean? You know, this is what's so offensive. And he's sitting there acknowledging and agreeing with it. This is, that’s NBC News?
HANNITY: I don't think Tom Brokaw – I think he tried for most of his career – I think he probably slants a little more left than me, okay, but I'm out there, and we have responsible passionate debate every single night, but I wonder, Tom Brokaw, are you proud of the brand that you built all these years? Are you proud that that is on NBC News? And I’m thinking-
GUILFOYLE: I don't think he is, to be perfectly honest, because that is so outrageous what she had to say and calling these people – hard-working Americans who pay their taxes, racist and-
HANNITY: African-Americans that are conservative or have a different point of view, or if they're protesting, to insult them-
GUILFOYLE: She said people are upset because there's a black man in the White House.
HANNITY: Stockholm Syndrome?
GUILFOYLE: Awful. Horrendous.
CUPP: Not to mention, MSNBC's Rachael Maddow in another really dignified moment in cable news, called us all tea baggers. I mean, really gross. I wouldn't even want my mother to hear that.
