Fox host slams Trump rep over 'scum' language: 'It is not tough rhetoric — it's obscene'
A Fox News host shut down former President Donald Trump's spokesperson on air when she tried to defend her boss for referring to the Democratic governor of California as "scum."
Fox Business' Stuart Varney called out Trump's "name-calling" of Gov. Gavin Newsom in a live interview Thursday with Karoline Leavitt, the former president's 2024 national campaign press secretary.
"I take issue with Trump's new nickname for California's governor, calling him "new scum," Varney said. "I don't think that's a good idea, I object to that kind of language, how about you?"
When Leavitt tried to argue that Newsom's policy decisions merited strong language, Varney was quick to pounce.
"Are you saying it's okay to bring that kind of language to a presidential campaign?" Varney demanded. "New scum? That's okay?"
Once again, Leavitt tried to defend her boss and point the finger at "deranged Democrats" — and once again, Varney wasn't having it.
"No," he snapped. "Your campaign has a problem with language like that."
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Varney then pointed to Super Tuesday reporting that showed supporters of former Gov. Nikki Haley, who on Wednesday ended her bid for the Republican presidential nomination, are not going to simply line up behind Trump.
"You think you're going to win over Haley voters with language like that, do you?" he asked. "Do you win over moderates and women with language like that?"
Leavitt once again plugged her boss's conservative policy agenda and made a pitch to defend the strong language he frequently uses.
"Trump is winning with independents and with women right now," Leavitt replied. "We need to not be so afraid of using tough rhetoric."
"Actually, it is not tough rhetoric," Varney said. "It is obscene."