The incident that caused that fine and apology occurred when the anchor had a contentious interview in March with South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, where he accused the president-elect of being a “rapist.”
“You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape.
How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?” he said to the representative after playing a clip of her talking about her assault.
“Well, I will tell you. I was raped at the age of 16, and any rape victim will tell you- I’ve lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped.
I didn’t come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt, and it’s a shame that you will never feel, George. And I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. I’m not going to do that,” the representative said.
“It’s actually not about shaming you, it’s a question about Donald Trump…,” the anchor said.
“No, you are shaming me,” she hit back.