CNN Analyst: Fox ‘Trying to Have It Both Ways’ By Not Officially Announcing Pirro’s Suspension

Reacting to Fox News sidelining Jeanine Pirro following backlash over the pro-Trump host’s Islamophobic monologue on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), CNN media analyst Bill Carter gave the network credit for taking some action against the outspoken conservative commentator but noted that they are trying to thread a needle by not publicly confirming Pirro has been suspended.

After Pirro suggested Omar doesn’t believe in the United States Constitution because she wears a hijab, Fox News issued a statement “strongly” condemning the host. While several companies announced they were pulling their advertising from Pirro’s show, the network pulled Justice with Judge Jeanine from last Saturday’s broadcasting schedule. When reached for comment, a Fox News spokesperson said: “We’re not commenting on internal scheduling matters.”

This was followed by reporting that Fox News had suspended Pirro for two weeks. The network, however, has yet to confirm those reports. The president, meanwhile, chimed in, demanding that the network “bring back” Pirro while calling for

Appearing on CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin Monday afternoon, Carter agreed with former CNN correspondent Frank Sesno that it was good that Pirro faced consequences for her actions but noted they did it “as quietly as they could do it.”

“They didn’t announce the suspension,” he told CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin. “We don’t know that it’s official.”

Asked why that matters, Carter said that Fox News was “trying to have it both ways,” adding that they wanted to show they’ve done something but the network doesn’t “want to upset the base too much.”

Carter went on to state that it’s not that “big a move” as Pirro only hosts a show once a week, it does show they are “at least” doing something, especially as this is one of Trump’s favorites.

“I don’t want to take that away from them,” he concluded. “They did something correct here and announced there are consequences for the things you say. Maybe there will be more consequences in the future.”

Watch the clip above, via CNN.