Don Imus Suspended for ‘Repugnant, Repulsive’ Remarks

Radio host Don Imus has been suspended for two weeks following what he himself calls “repugnant, repulsive and horrible” remarks.

Imus, who hosts a talk show on CBS Radio which is also simulcast by NBC News on MSNBC, was suspended by both CBS and NBC, writes The New York Times. MSNBC will replace Imus’s program with news coverage. It is still unclear how CBS will fill the time.

Imus appeared on the Rev. Al Sharpton’s syndicated radio program to apologize for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team a group of “nappy-headed ho’s.” He has said that he is hoping to meet with the team in person to apologize for his remarks.

Sharpton has threatened to pull together a boycott of sponsors of the radio stations if Imus wasn’t fired.

Imus’s program is particularly important for MSNBC because it is the network’s regular morning program. It has been building its audience steadily on that network and is threatening to overtake CNN in that time slot.

In a statement on the website, MSNBC says, “While simulcast by MSNBC, ‘Imus in the Morning’ is not a production of the cable network and is produced by WFAN Radio. As Imus makes clear every day, his views are not those of MSNBC. We regret that his remarks were aired on MSNBC and apologize for these offensive comments.”