Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt resigned from the Washington Post after he attacked a live discussion Friday amid a dispute with two of the paper’s liberal columnists over Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud.
Hewitt, a contributing columnist for the Jeff Bezos-owned broadsheet, appeared in a discussion with Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus watching Tuesday’s election when the conversation turned to a lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania, where a The judge agreed to a request to expand in-person voting in Bucks County.
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee successfully sought an extension after some people in line for mail-in ballots left after the 5pm cut-off on Tuesday.
“Is it me or does it look like Donald Trump is laying the groundwork to run for office,” asked Capehart Marcus.
“Claiming fraud was going on, but suing Bucks County [Pennsylvania] for alleged irregularities.”
Marcus responded that Trump has been “working hard” to contest the election for months.
Hewitt then tried to get a word in, saying, “Jonathan, I have to talk.”
“Let Ruth finish, Hugh,” returned Capehart.
After Marcus finished, Hewitt said, “Well, I just have to say, we’re news people, even though it’s the opinion section.”
“It should be reported,” Hewitt continued.
“Bucks County was overruled by the court and ordered to open extra days because they broke the law and told people to go home.”
Hewitt also cited the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s move to purge 1,600 people from voter rolls.
“We’re news people, even though we have opinions and we have to report the whole story if we bring a piece of the story. So yes, he’s upset about Bucks County, but he was right and he won in court. That’s the story,” Hewitt said.
After a brief pause, Capehart told Hewitt, “I don’t appreciate being lectured about reporting when, Hugh, you often come in here saying a lot of things that aren’t based on fact.”
The accusation infuriated Hewitt.
“I’m not coming back, Jonathan, I’m done,” he said, removing his headset and standing up.
“I’m done. This is the most unfair election ad I’ve ever been a part of,” Hewitt continued, his face no longer visible on the screen.
“You guys are working, that’s good, I’m done.”
Two sources familiar with the matter told The Post that Hewitt quit his job as a contributing columnist at the Washington Post moments after he left the group.
Conservative media luminaries praised the veteran radio host and pundit for standing up to Capehart’s rants.
“WELL DONE @hughhewitt! Factual, measured, brave and conveniently fed up with these left-wing hacks posing as journalists,” wrote conservative talk radio host Megyn Kelly.
The exchange of evidence came amid uproar at the Washington Post over Bezos’ decision not to allow the editorial board to print an endorsement of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Bezos warned in an Oct. 28 op-ed that the paper’s staff had been “increasingly” willing to “speak only to a certain elite,” rather than the broader American public.
“More and more, we talk to ourselves,” Bezos wrote. “It wasn’t always like this—in the 1990s we reached 80 percent household penetration in the DC metro area.”
Outrage over Bezos’ decision led to resignations at the paper. It has been reported that 250,000 readers have canceled their subscriptions in protest.
The New York Post has sought comment from the Washington Post.
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