FNC Host: Trump Spewing Lies

Will The Donald take it lying down? On this Thanksgiving afternoon, FNC honcho Roger Ailes must be having indigestion: His latest Fox News anchor to tangle with GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump, Happening Now co-host Gregg Jarrett, deemed Trump a liar.

First, there was the Megyn “affair”: Now, there is the Jarrett jeer.

In the first GOP debate (in August), FNC anchor Megyn Kelly, co-moderated the first Republican Presidential debate and took what was perceived by The Donald as a cheap shot re the purported “war on women.” Ever The Donald, he robustly defended himself, declaring that he was often not politically correct: Subsequently, he acerbically asserted, “And, frankly, what I say, and oftentimes it’s fun, it’s kidding, we have a good time: What I say, is what I say. And, honestly, Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry. I’ve been very nice to you although I could probably, maybe not be, based on the way you’ve treated me but I wouldn’t do that.” [Vid clip of the exchange.]

And, then the war was on–until Trump and FNC chief Roger Ailes appeared to call a truce with a few  seeming “violations.” However, it did not last long when The Donald took a subsequent shot at Kelly in a Tweet, calling her “a lightweight” and “overrated”: Apparently, Ailes was not amused, and The Donald’s appearance on the “O’Reilly Factor was cancelled. No shrinking violet, Trump hit back with a boycott of Fox News. Ailes apparently relented to the ratings magnet when The Donald returned to the O’Reilly Factor, and Trump has been regularly booked ever since on Fox News shows.

Today, Ailes’ erstwhile errant anchor,  Happening Now co-host Gregg Jarrett, ignited a probable feud again by deeming Trump a liar. In a segment subtitled “Trump’s Chances of Winning WH” with Democratic strategist and pollster Jessica Tarlov (Senior Strategist of Schoen Consulting) and Kevin McCullough (a radio host nationally syndicated),  Jarrett, with a twinkle in his eye, remarked, “Donald Trump has been spewing canards.”* When Tarlov guffawed, “That’s such a polite way of saying it,” Jarrett chuckled, “That, that essentially means lies. But, I was trying to be nice.” He added, “Um, and, just in the past week, I mean, one after another, after another.”

Looking at his notes with his reading glasses in his hand, Jarrett continued, “He said, I saw thousands and thousands of people in New Jersey cheering the 9/11 attacks when the Towers fell.” Chuckling, he declared, “Officials in the state say that’s not true [and that] there’s no proof of that: Politifact gave it a ‘pants-on-fire’ rating.” Subsequently, Jarrett challenged Trump’s assertions as to the percentage of whites killed by blacks, citing the F.B.I., and the number of Syrian refugees that the President intends to brings into the U.S.

In conclusion, Jarrett jeered, “And, the Washington Post, in summarizing all of these things he’s saying, said quote, ‘Trump has lied so many times about so many things during the past week, it’s difficult to keep track of all of them.'” As Tarlov began to answer, Jarrett asked, “But, is he ever going to be held accountable for this stuff?”

Trump a liar? Doubtlessly, The Donald will respond. And, Gregg may not be as lucky as Megyn.

*Happening Now – 10/26/15 (@ 1:26 p.m. ET).

The Third: Martha’s Independence Day?

Unshackled? MacCallum’s wedding ring missing anew. Before her show today, FNC co-anchor Martha MacCallum Tweeted, “Happy to be back in America’s Newsroom today.” Subsequently, when she appeared on the program, guest co-anchor Gregg Jarrett enthusiastically saluted her, saying, “It is terrific to have you back: everybody missed you!” Beaming, the blonde beauty responded, “Thank you so much! It is very good to be back!” Naked.

Yes, naked again. Almost immediately after Martha expressed how wonderful it was to be back on AN, she gestured with her left hand: gone again was her wedding ring (given to her almost a decade ago).

As Carpe Diem readers may remember, Martha quit wearing her connubial band after a (201) Magazine holiday family profile but began anew after the author noted it. Ironically, today, on the eve of the Fourth, Martha seemed to signal her personal independence day had started early: i.e., she wore no wedding ring and sported no tan line which might suggest that she had ever done so.

Martha’s Independence Day? No fireworks. Hopefully.

Morris’ Memorial Miss

Oops! An unfortunate “Unknown” ad lib. Fox & Friends guest co-host Clayton Morris probably wishes that he had stuck to the script this morning. One who prides himself in his historical ken and is continuously lauded for such by his FNC colleagues, Clayton had a memorable Memorial Day mishap this morning: He misidentified the “Tomb of the Unknowns” as the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” and then regrettably made the logical leap–and fell flat on his face.

As Fox & Friends Memorial Day edition entered its second hour, producers showed a live shot of the Tomb of the Unknowns where President Obama was scheduled to lay a wreath. Simultaneously, Clayton intoned, “That is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, referring to the remains, of course, of the unknown soldier interned at that specific spot Arlington National Cemetery.”* [Italics added for emphasis.] But, of course, it was not the resting place of a single soldier: rather, it was the “Tomb of the Unknowns” which “contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World Wars I and II, the Korean Conflict and (until 1998) the Vietnam War” according to Arlington National Cemetery.

When the author pointed out his mistake in two Tweets [1, 2], Clayton did not respond nor did Fox & Friends show the scene again. However, when the following show, America’s Newsroom, did, both guest co-hosts Juliet Huddy and Gregg Jarrett properly referred to the monument as the “Tomb of the Unknowns.” Apparently, they knew better, or, perhaps, someone got the word.

In fairness to Clayton, even though he was off the mark this morning, he certainly did not get any assistance from his fellow guest co-anchors, Ainsley Earhardt or Dave Briggs. Ainsley merely muttered, “Mmmm,” and Dave simply moved on without a word. To make matters worse, even Clayton’s producers failed to provide him with a helpful voice in the ear.

F&F (Memorial Day): Clayton and the crew on holiday!

*Fox & Friends – 05/28/12 (@ 7:01 a.m. ET)

**America’s Newsroom – 05/28/12 (@ 10:10 a.m. ET and @ 10:14 a.m.ET, respectively)

Megyn Kelly Disappears

With her show without a word. Apparently, even America Live anchor Megyn Kelly’s lead-in, Happening Now guest host Greg Jarrett, was caught off guard this afternoon: as Jarrett confidently segued from HN to the next Fox News program at 1:00 pm. ET, Jarrett remarked, “America Live begins right now.” Apparently, getting a quick word from his producer, Jarrett quickly glanced at his computer screen and corrected himself, saying, “America’s News Headquarters.”

Subsequently, the screen switched to ANHQ and Kelly Wright began with a “News Alert”: Then, after finishing it, he remarked, “This is America’s News Headquarters. I’m Kelly Wright.” Thereafter, his comely blonde co-host chimed, “Great to see you, Kelly….I’m Jamie Colby.”

Oddly, neither Kelly nor Jamie mentioned that, at least, for the day, they were replacing Megyn Kelly and America’s News HQ was supplanting America Live. Furthermore, to the author’s knowledge, Megyn did not mention yesterday that she or her program would be absent today (Friday). Moreover, Megyn failed to alert her Twitter followers to any AL changes either. Not to mention, when the author consulted FNC’s on-air schedule at FNC’s foxnews.com/fnctv web site (at 1:55 p.m. ET), the “Now” tab showed no program for the 1:00pm slot but rather started with the 3:00 pm one (Studio B w/ Shepard Smith).

Strange indeed. Wherefore art thou, Megyn? Fox News flub-up or Shine “shakeup”?

[Author’s aside: Even at the start of the second hour and at the end of show, both Jamie and Kelly failed to acknowledge the obvious–the absence of Megyn Kelly and her show America Live.]

Update: On Labor Day itself, Megyn answered: She and America Live reappeared. Perhaps, it had been merely a Fox News flub-up. Or, was it Shine’s inadvertent portent?

ANHQ: Who’s the New “Girl”?

Heather Childers. When a Twitter follower asked Julie Banderas yesterday about not seeing her on with Gregg Jarrett on the weekend [America’s News HQ], she tersely Tweeted, “Yeah, he got a new co-anchor.” And, just who is that co-anchor? Her name is Heather Childers, a recent Fox News hire.”

According to her hometown paper Charlotte Observer, Heather was reared in Charlotte, North Carolina; graduated from UNC Chapel Hill; and worked for eight years at Time Warner Cable’s News 14 Carolina (a 24-hour news channel). The Observer reported that Heather left News 14 Carolina last year in search of “bigger things” and finally landed a job at Fox News. It quoted an apparently ecstatic Heather as saying, “Now my dreams have come true.”

At FNC, Heather co-anchors America’s News Headquarters with Gregg Jarrett on the weekend generally from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. She also Tweets her Twitter followers almost daily with a truly personal touch. (Cf. link here.)

A belated congrats, Heather!

“Good Time” Juliet

Fleet Week: Huddy treat? America’s NewsHQ guest co-host Juliet Huddy put out her welcome mat to America’s sailors seeking some “r & r” in the Big Apple this week. When co-host Gregg Jarrett introduced a navy segment with Peter Doocy, he teased Juliet about noticing this “inescapable” event and mentioned that he had given seamen directions to Fox News. Giggling, she suggestively asked, “You did? To my office?”* Smiling knowingly, Gregg replied, “They would have loved to have seen you.” Coyly, she tittered, “I’m just kidding.”

Subsequently, after Peter’s report which included a high-tech female robot, Gregg randily remarked, “She is actually quite attractive. Very cute.” Of Gregg who, apparently, had made an off-color comment off-camera, Juliet queried, “What did you just say [inaudible]?” Chuckling, Gregg replied, “I’m not going to say what I said.” Juliet impishly insisted, “You gotta say what you said!” Facetiously, Gregg retorted, “No, no, she could be my new future co-anchor is what I said.”

Wanting to get in on the ribald revelry, Peter teased, “And, I’m sure that if any Marines need to know the directions to Juliet’s office while they’re in town, the robot could help them out, too.” Laughing, a flushed Juliet answered, “I was only kidding. You know, as a female, you have to say that when you’re.” Batting her eyes, she coyly continued, “Well, I guess, maybe, I was inappropriate, and I apologize for that. I was trying to lighten things up a little bit.” Riantly, Gregg replied, “They will love you! Marines, navy, come on down. Twelve eleven.” Reddened, Juliet coquettishly responded, “Quit it! Be quiet.”

The former Fox & Friends Weekend hottie is definitely back in the FNC house.

*America’s NewsHQ – 05/30/10 (@4:23 p.m. ET)

Jarrett’s Recall Fails

America’s Newsroom guest host Gregg Jarrett must have misread his cheat sheets again.* Apparently, the attorney-turned-journo does not yet realize that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, the former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, is no longer a Republican. (Specter, still a Senate Judiciary Committee member, became a Democrat almost a year ago.) As Jarrett presided over a segment on the Senate confirmation of a future replacement for the retiring Justice John Paul Stephens, he correctly noted that the “political landscape…has changed dramatically” since Justice Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed in August of 2009.** However, he disdainfully added, “Arlen Specter hauled off about ten days ago and threatened to filibuster–which, by the way, has never happened with a Supreme Court nominee.”

Apparently, Jarrett was not listening closely to his colleague Chris Wallace’s Fox News Sunday program April 4. When Wallace interviewed Democrat Specter and Republican Arizona Senator Jon Kyle, it was Kyle who indicated that Republicans were ready to filibuster if the Supreme Court appointee was overly ideological. However, Specter did say, “I think the gridlock in the Senate might well produce a filibuster, which would tie up the Senate [with the] Supreme Court nominee: I think if a year passes there’s a much better chance we could come to a consensus.”

*According to the author’s recollection, Jarrett made the same erroneous assertion last week in a similar segment.

**America’s Newsroom – 04/12/10 (9:47 a.m. ET)

Domenica’s Bosom Mike

FNC meteorologist Domenica Davis shared a rather intimate weather report today on Happening Now.  To set the stage: the Italian delight was having trouble throughout her segment being heard over the static as an ill-attached microphone rubbed against her.  When she began to conclude her report, her “irascible” mike gave her an even harder time: it took that plunge. Yes, deep into her cleavage.*

When it did, Domenica looked down at her bosom, abashedly tried to button her blouse, and softly exclaimed, “Oops!” HN guest co-host Gregg Jarrett said, “Nice sound effects, Domenica.” Giggling, HN co-anchor Jane Skinner saucily asked, “Where did it go?” Rolling his eyes, Gregg rejoined, “I think  Domenica lost that little lavalier microphone down some place.” Jane pertly responded, “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Gregg admitted, “Yeah, and added, “Now, I’m paying attention!”

Indeed.

Update: No problem, J$P. Thanks for the vid.**

*Happening Now (07/29/09) – 11:33 a.m. ET

**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA36Mcc1JA8

Megyn: “My Naked Body”

Maybe, it was the pregnancy hormones, the reverse Coolidge effect, or both! Nevertheless, America’s Newsroom co-host Megyn Kelly was filling frisky Tuesday as Gregg Jarrett filled in for her TV hubby, Bill Hemmer. Banana and “x-ray vision” pieces only stoked her fires.

After reporting an alleged incident involving an under-the-shirt banana used in a robbery attempt, Gregg put his hand under his jacket. Then turning to Megyn he said, “I brought my banana with me….What do you think? Does that look like a [gun]?” Feigning fear, Megyn riquely replied, “Is that a banana in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” Guffawing, Gregg declared, “I knew you were gonna say that.” Laughing, Megyn responded, “I had to!”

Later, introducing a full-body-imaging-airport-scan segment, Megyn asked, “Who cares if you’re getting naked in front of a bunch of strangers just because you want to get on the airplane?” After Megyn finished her report, Gregg quickly queried, “What do you think? What do you think?” Then looking her down and then up again, he pruriently probed, “Would that bother you?” Tantalizingly, Megyn answered, “I don’t care if they see my naked body as long as my face is blurred.”

[Full-body-image scanners purportedly do not see the person going through the checkpoint.]

AN: America’s Naughty.