Two Fox News contributors have been suspended for their on-air profanity as they reacted to President Barack Obama's Oval Office address on combatting terrorism Sunday night.
"Outnumbered" contributor Stacey Dash, who said the president doesn't "give a s--t" about terrorism, and Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, a Fox Business "strategic analyst" who called Obama a "total pu--y," were reprimanded by the channel's executives for their use of profanities on the air, according to USA Today.
"Well, first of all, [President Obama] keeps speaking about, 'We can't give in to our fears, you know, don't be afraid,'" Peters said on the show. "Look, Mr. President, we're not afraid - we're angry! We're pissed off! We're furious! We want [you] to react! We want you to do something! You're afraid! I mean, this guy is such a total pu--y, it's stunning!"
Host Stuart Varney warned Peters about using inappropriate language on the program, saying, "I can tell you are super angry, and I asked you what your reaction was but I gotta call you: You can't use language like that on the program, OK? I'm sorry ... moving on."
That sentiment was echoed by fellow Fox News host Howard Kurtz, who called the debacle "flippin' embarrassing" on Twitter.
Top management at Fox News took swift action with the announcement of a two-week suspension for both Peters and Dash, reported CNN.
"Earlier today, Fox contributors Lt. Col. Ralph Peters and Stacey Dash made comments on different programs that were completely inappropriate and unacceptable for our air," said Bill Shine, the executive vice president of programming at Fox News, in a statement published by Mediaite. "Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel do not condone the use of such language, and have suspended both Peters and Dash for two weeks."
Dash and Peters took to Twitter to brush off the seriousness of the violations.
Consequences. Some of us have to pay them. Gladly.
— Stacey Dash (@REALStaceyDash) December 7, 2015
People tend to get offended when you speak your mind and give your opinion. But please, don't shy away from what's really important. — Ralph Peters (@Ralph_Peters1) December 7, 2015
Full video of the segment with Peters below:
