Exclusive look at FBI raid on Roger Stone's home
Home security footage of the FBI raiding Roger Stone's home in Florida on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.'
CNN senior political analyst David Gergen pondered on air Monday if former Trump adviser Roger Stone -- who he called a "dandy" -- would be raped in prison.
Gergen was explaining that Stone is now in hot water after he posted a picture of a federal judge on Instagram showing what appeared to be crosshairs in the background. The CNN talking head explained that it is the same judge who threw the book at Paul Manafort, who is reportedly having a tough time in lockdown.
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“Roger Stone must also worry that if he goes there, he is seen as something of a dandy. Will he be physically safe? Will he be subject to rape? There must be a lot of things going through his mind,” Gergen said.
According to Merriam-Webster, the term “dandy” means “a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal appearance,” although it is sometimes used as a homophobic slur.
CNN host Kate Bolduan didn’t acknowledge the comment and quickly pivoted to whether or not Stone would receive a harsher gag order as a result.
Gergen made the comment on Monday but it was resurfaced on Wednesday by Daily Wire reporter Ryan Saavedra who tweeted video of the segment. Saavedra’s followers responded with harsh criticism of Gergen’s choice of words.
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CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck told Fox News the comment is “a disgusting and ugly stereotype that has no place in a culture of civility and truth that CNN claims to want,” but he doesn’t expect the network to apologize anytime soon – pointing out that CNN’s Jake Tapper recently suggested Stone could enjoy prison.
“CNN is pretty reliable when it comes to going after news figures and pundits they don't like, when they say something controversial,” Houck said. “Unfortunately, I won't hold my breath waiting for them to say something about what either person said.”
Gergen seemingly got a pass for the remark, but other commentators have been scolded on air for a variety of controversial statements. Back in 2017, for instance, author and sports radio host Clay Travis famously shocked CNN’s Brooke Baldwin for saying, “I’m a First Amendment absolutist and believe in two things completely -- the First Amendment and boobs.”
Meanwhile, Stone deleted the controversial photo after he posted it earlier in the week, but later posted the same snap again, this time without the crosshairs, and slammed the trial in a caption.
“Through legal trickery Deep State hitman Robert Mueller has guaranteed that my upcoming show trial is before Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointed Judge who dismissed the Benghazi charges against Hillary Clinton and incarcerated Paul Manafort prior to his conviction for any crime,” Stone’s post was captioned.
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U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Stone to show up on Thursday afternoon to argue why she should not modify or revoke his bail -- or even impose a full gag order – following the social media gaffe.
Stone and his lawyers filed a notice on Monday night, admitting that sharing the picture wasn’t appropriate and apologizing. His lawyer also said he plans to apologize in person Thursday.
“Please inform the Court that the photograph and comment today was improper and should not have been posted. I had no intention of disrespecting the Court and humbly apologize to the Court for the transgression,” Stone said.
On Instagram, Stone said that the post has been “misinterpreted” and denied he tried to threaten the judge.
Fox News’ Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
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