Neo Newsmax Rob Finnerty is currently being opposed internally by the conservative cable network in an “embarrassing” April Fool’s Day stunt he’s been streaming, pretending to report “breaking news” that Russia has and agreed to a ceasefire with Ukraine.
Not only were Finnerty’s Newsmax colleagues “angry” at his tasteless joke but, according to multiple insiders who spoke to The Daily Beast, the network’s CEO Chris Ruddy was also “angry” when the morning anchor decided to use a bloody war – which the president of Ukraine called “genocide“—It’s a stupid breakthrough.
A spokesperson for Newsmax did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story.
“I don’t really comment on these internal matters,” Ruddy told The Daily Beast on Saturday.
During the April 1 broadcast of Awaken AmericaFinnerty was moderating a panel discussion when political analyst Mark Halperin Break a cringey joke at the expense of veep.
“This just happened: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is suing Vice President Kamala Harris,” Halperin quipped, referring to the political comedy series Veep. “She wants her character back.”
After Finnerty noted that Halperin tends to “love” the show with his “comedy” on Fridays, disgraced scholar replied that it was also April Fool’s Day and viewers should expect such jokes.
Can’t get enough media news? Registration Raw material sourceThe Daily Beast’s media bulletin this.
Interrupting co-host Alison Maloni and the rest of the panel, Finnerty then touches his earpiece and says he’s only getting “some, uh, news in my ears” while Online image “Latest News” appears on the screen.
“Um, here’s breaking news! And this is happening. So I just heard this, but obviously, we have a ceasefire in Ukraine. Russia has clearly surrendered,” Finnerty said in a serious tone. “Now again, we don’t have anything confirmed, but this news just reached my ears. Well, it is clear that President Zelensky has reached a tentative agreement with President Vladimir Putin on a ceasefire.
Finnerty then turns to Halperin for an immediate reaction to this horrifying fake news, prompting the expert to talk about “how wonderful it would be” if “could be less murderous”—just to the presenter. Newsmax stops him and reveals his ruse. .
“It’s an April Fool’s joke!” Finnerty announced excitedly. “I told you I would pick you up this morning. You all fell for it.”
Halperin, meanwhile, told Finnerty that he’s “more confident that you won’t abuse the Newsmax name by pretending to be something serious and real”.
The Awaken America However, the presenter went on to celebrate that he pulled one across the board, bragging that he should be an “actor”. At the same time, his co-host Alison Maloni also made sure to tell viewers that she had no prior knowledge of the prank.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” a Newsmax employee told The Daily Beast. “Obviously, Mark Halperin was horrified. At least his answer is appropriate. How can anyone think that’s remotely acceptable outside of me? “
Two other current staffers who spoke with The Daily Beast explained that the show’s producers were largely unaware Finnerty would attempt to pull off his lame joke, making the staff look terrible in the process. this.
“Why is the real F right,” said one employee indignantly, adding that Finnerty allegedly told the control room to just “get ready” before his stunt, prompting them to inadvertently follow suit by Provide a hot news chyron. “Then they were also very angry.”
“They were not happy with him,” said another Newsmax employee. “Just a bad joke. The control room didn’t even know what he was doing.”
Multiple sources familiar with the situation say Finnerty’s charismatic prank appears to have ruffled the network’s operators.
“Ruddy is furious,” an insider declared. “[Finnerty] fd control room. And the network. I am also very angry. Awkward. He thinks he’s funny. He’s the only one who thinks so.”
Registration Raw material sourceDaily Beast’s media newsletter, and get exciting news in your inbox every Monday.
