Recommendations of the Editorial team
The “Fox & Friends” Co-host Brian Kilmeade publicly advocated the killing of homeless people with mental illnesses who reject offers. In a discussion with his colleagues Ainsley Earhardt and Lawrence Jones about the murder of the Ukrainian fled Iryna Zarutska, he brought the drastic idea.
“Just kill”
Jones emphasized that the perpetrator, who was already a criminal record and had a mental illness, had to be taken off the street much earlier. He explained that billions had already flowed into mental health care and aid programs for homeless people. However, many did not want to accept these offers.
“You shouldn’t give them a choice,” said Jones. “Either you accept the help. Or you have to go to prison.” Thereupon Kilmeade interrupted. And added: “Or, uh, involuntary poison injection. Just kill.” His co-hosts did not react to it. And continued the conversation.
The statements caused outrage. The clip went viral, whereupon California’s governor Gavin Newsom reacted with a Bible quotation via social media. “Anyone who closes their ears in front of the arms will call themselves and will not receive an answer.”
Sorry for the wave of outrage
On Sunday, Kilmeade finally apologized live on the show. “During this discussion, I wrongly said you should get a poison injection. I apologize for this extremely insensitive remark.” He continued to emphasize that he knew that not all mentally ill homeless people like the perpetrator acted in North Carolina. And deserved a lot of compassion and support.