Conservative talk show host and political commentator Laura Ingraham, who has a history of offensive, racist, and transphobic rhetoric is reportedly taking over Fox News’ 10 p.m. slot, according to CNN and Drudge.
DONE DEAL: LAURA INGRAHAM SIGNS CONTRACT WITH FOXNEWS…
10 PM SHOW COULD START NEXT WEEK… DEVELOPING…
— MATT DRUDGE (@DRUDGE) September 18, 2017
In July 2016, after sexual harassment allegations, Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes left the network, and Rupert Murdoch became the channel’s acting chairman and CEO.
Following the departure of Ailes, some speculated that the channel might shift away from its hard right, conspiratorial roots. In August, The New York Times ran a story headlined, “James Murdoch’s Rebuke of Trump May Signal a Shift,” but Ingraham’s hiring seems to be the latest proof Fox isn’t changing.
Ingraham, on her radio show and during appearances on Fox News, has frequently made racist and transphobic comments.
On Fox and Friends in June, Ingraham said terrorism was the “price to… pay for multiculturalism.”
“Now the price they have to pay for multiculturalism is the risk that you’re walking on the sidewalk and a man will — or a woman, will purposefully mow you down,” Ingraham said. “And then while you’re maybe finishing your cappuccino in a cafe, or having a drink, someone will put a knife to your throat and slit it with the attempt, perhaps, to behead you.”
On her radio show, Ingraham has attacked the pope for talking about climate change, railed against affirmative action, said “the Muslims” never support “the conservatives” on anti-LGBTQ issues, called Planned Parenthood a criminal organization, said many minorities voted for Obama because of his race, and suggested the U.S. should shoot undocumented immigrants who want to re-enter the country, among a litany of other hateful and fact-challenged takes.
“I think a very compelling case could be made that this has set women back,” Ingraham said of the feminist movement. “The most powerful thing a woman can do is give birth, that is it. That is your power, really your power. And you can do a lot of things in your life, but that’s what makes you unique, and now it becomes just kind of commodified in today’s society.”
Ingraham has also said she would not allow her daughter to use transgender-friendly restrooms without her, and suggested that people should wear diapers rather than share restrooms with a transgender person.
“Oh we have a new transgender update for you as well,” Ingraham said on her radio show. “I think a lot of people are going to be walking around with just Depends on from now on. They’re just not going to use the bathroom. Adult diapers, diapers for everybody. No one’s going to be going to the bathroom. You have little kids, there’s going to be no bathrooms. We’re just going to all wear Depends. Everyone will just be happy.”
Additionally, the CEO of Ingraham’s online media outlet, LifeZette, reportedly will not stop talking about his employees’ “boobs and butts,” The Daily Beast reported. Fox News is currently reeling from allegations of a culture sexual harassment. The allegations ultimately resulted in the ousting of Ailes, Bill O’Reilly and former host Eric Bolling.
During the 2016 campaign, LifeZette pushed a number of conspiracy theories about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, including the conspiracy that the Clintons had been involved in a number of murders. Fox News, too, has pushed explosive conspiracy theories, including one about former DNC staffer Seth Rich that was retracted, and the company is in the midst of an internal investigation regarding the matter.
Ingraham’s move would reportedly shift Sean Hannity into the 9:00 p.m. slot, pitting Hannity against MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
UPDATE: Fox News has made the Ingraham hiring official. Hannity will move to 9:00 p.m.
Fox News makes it official: Laura Ingraham will host "The Ingraham Angle" at 10 p.m. weeknights. Hannity back to 9, The Five back to 5.
— Alex Weprin (@alexweprin) September 18, 2017