TOPLINE
Roger Stone, whose prison sentence was recently commuted by President Trump, was heard using a racial slur during a heated radio interview on KFI AM 640. Mr Mo’Kelly Show Saturday night, where he spoke about his conviction in connection with the Mueller investigation.
Stone was heard using the word “black” live on Saturday night, before denying it.
KEY FACTS
Stone, a longtime Trump aide, appeared on the show just over a week after the president commuted his 40-month prison sentence after Stone was found guilty of lying to Congress, tampering and obstructing witnesses. .
About 12 minutes after the interview, host Morris O’Kelly put pressure on Stone about how his closeness to Trump influenced his commute.
“I think certain people are treated differently in the federal justice system … There are thousands of people treated unfairly on a daily basis. Hell, their number appeared in the lottery. I guess it was more than luck, Roger, right?” O’Kelly asked Stone.
There was a pause from Stone before he audibly muttered, “I really don’t feel like arguing with this nigger,” to which O’Kelly responded by asking, “Roger? Excuse me, what did you say?”
Stone was silent for about 40 seconds, during which the line remained audible, before sighing and replying, “Uhh, you’re back, are you there? Hello?”
When asked again about the word “black,” Stone replied, “I didn’t.” You are out of my mind. You’re crazy, ”before blaming the phone connection.
Crucial quote
Talking with him New York Times After the interview, O’Kelly said the derogatory term was the “dietary version of the N-word” and something that, as a black man, he finds “quite often.”
“The only thing I felt was true, honest and sincere that Roger Stone said that at the time he thought he was not listening. All my professional compliments, all my professional good intentions went out the window because, as far as he was concerned, he was talking and arguing with a black man, ”he told the newspaper.
Key background
Trump commuted Stone’s sentence just days before his sentence began for obstructing the Congressional investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The move came after Trump called Stone’s conviction a “double standard.” and defended the operative as the victim of a witch hunt and a “cheating” investigation. Stone’s commute divided prominent Republicans over concerns that Trump, who allegedly acted in defiance of Attorney General William Barr, ignored the rule of law to help his ally. After Trump’s commutation, Stone promised to do “whatever it takes … except breaking the law” to help Trump get reelected in November.
Tangent
Stone was previously banned from conducting on-air interviews with CNN and MSNBC about previous tweets calling commentators “stupid black” and “fat black,” among other insults and insults. Later he deleted those tweets, Media issues reported in 2016.
Further reading
Debugged Tweets from Trump Ally Roger Stone: “Stupid Black”, “Fat Black”, “Muff-Diver”, “Elitist C * nt”, “DIE BITCH” (Media Matter)
Roger Stone uses racial slur on radio show (New York Times)
Roger Stone says he will do “whatever it takes” for Trump to be reelected after commuted sentence (Forbes)
Trump commutes Roger Stone (Forbes) sentence
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