Fox News chaos as Geraldo Rivera asks Black guest the last time he was ‘in the ghetto’

Cilvil rights attorney Leo Terrell and TV pundit became embroiled in on-air shouting match

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Thursday 08 April 2021 20:41 BST
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<p>Geraldo Rivera arrives for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump AT Trump Tower on January 13, 2017 in New York.</p>

Geraldo Rivera arrives for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump AT Trump Tower on January 13, 2017 in New York.

A Fox News interview descended into chaos when Geraldo Rivera asked a Black guest when was the last time he had been “in the ghetto”.

Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell became embroiled in an ugly shouting match with Mr Rivera as the pair appeared on America’s Newsroom on Thursday, and branded the question “insulting” as he pointed angrily at him.

The segment had started with a discussion about the election of Tishaura Jones as the first female Black mayor in the history of the city of St Louis.

Ms Jones has suggested that a white mayor is not equipped to govern a majority Black city like St Louis, because they do not have the “lived experiences” necessary in that community.

Mr Terrell, a Black man, had strongly rejected that argument when asked about it.

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“That is the most insulting, racist comment!” said Mr Terrell. 

“You know what she’s saying? She’s saying because you’re white you don’t understand what we as Black people go through regarding crime. 

“That makes the assumption that Joe Biden doesn’t know. To say that she is basically in a better position because she’s Black is insulting, it’s racist, and it makes no sense whatever. I reject that argument.”

It was at that point that Rivera interjected and asked, “Hey Leo, when was the last time you were in the ghetto?”

And at that point the conversation then spiralled out of control.

“How dare you say that? What are you trying imply? Insulting, ” Mr Terrell said forcefully.

“I have been a civil rights attorney for 30 years, I have fought discrimination for 30 years.”

Rivera just laughed in response and added: “Jesus on earth. You’re fabulous Leo.”

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