Fox News confirmed that it will not have commentator Michael Knowles back on the network after he called child activist Greta Thunberg a “mentally ill Swedish child” on one of its shows Monday evening.
Knowles, who hosts “The Michael Knowles Show” through The Daily Wire, received backlash after his characterization of Thunberg, a 16-year-old with Asperger Syndrome. The comments were made on Fox’s “The Story with Martha MacCallum” Monday, and the network issued an apology following the backlash.
A Fox News spokesperson confirmed with the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday morning that the network has “no plans to book him.” (RELATED: Laura Ingraham Compares Greta Thunberg To ‘Children Of The Corn’)
“The comment made by Michael Knowles who was a guest on ‘The Story’ tonight was disgraceful – we apologize to Greta Thunberg and to our viewers,” a Fox News spokesperson told the DCNF.
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Knowles did not reply to a request for comment by the time of publication, but defended his comments on Twitter following the show Monday evening.
“Her mother wrote a book about her mental issues,” Knowles tweeted following backlash on social media. “There is nothing shameful about living with mental disorders. What is shameful is exploiting a child – particularly a child with mental disorders – to advance your political agenda.”
Knowles hit back at a comment calling from Jordan Uhl, the campaign director for Media Matters for America, calling him a “petulant little freak,” writing again that “there is nothing shameful” about having a mental disorder.
“Your suggestion to the contrary is not only wrong but deeply offensive. Did Greta’s mother insult her when she wrote a book describing the child’s struggles with mental and developmental disorders?” Knowles wrote.
The Daily Wire did not reply to a request for comment.
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