Fox's Andrea Tantaros Suspended For ‘Contract Issue,’ Not For Inciting Violence

Fox News finally got around to suspending Andrea Tantaros and it has nothing to do with her urging people to punch an Obama supporter “in the face.”

If you’ve noticed that Tantaros has been missing from the Donald-Trump-cheering section on Fox’s Outnumbered show, you’re not the only one. TVNewser received a statement from Fox stating that Tantaros has been suspended:

“Issues have arisen regarding Andrea’s contract, and Fox News Channel has determined it best that she take some time off. She is still under contract with the network.”

TVNewser also reported that Tantaros had been scheduled to appear on Bill Cunningham’s radio show but canceled shortly before.

It's not clear what “issues” in Tantaros’ contract have arisen, though there is speculation it has to do with how she has promoted her new book, which was released the day before.

But here’s what is almost certainly not the reason: That time Tantaros urged her radio show listeners to commit violence against Obama supporters. In May, 2013, Tantaros said on her radio show:

"This is Obama’s America. It’s like the Soviet Union. He said he’d change the country. He said it, he said it, he said it, and a lot of people voted for him. And if you see any of those people today, do me a favor, punch ‘em in the face."

Tantaros crossed a line then that should have gotten her fired on the spot. But Fox apparently didn’t mind this kind of rhetoric (that they’d surely be howling about incessantly had a liberal said anything remotely like that about a conservative). Tantaros has been a cohost on Outnumbered since its inception a year later.

That should not be a surprise, given that prime time host Sean Hannity has recently defended Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski's manhandling of former Fox contributor Michelle Fields. And Fox host Greta Van Susteren attacked even her own colleagues when they spoke out against Lewandowski's behavior. Not surprisingly, Tantaros praised Trump for "rightfully" backing Lewandowski over the incident.

Tantaros may very well deserve her suspension now but it's a shame it took Fox so long.

You can listen to Tantaros urge her listeners to punch Obama supporters below, via Media Matters.

Image of Tantaros via screengrab.

Follow @NewsHounds

Follow @NewsHoundEllen

Do you like this post?

Showing 35 reactions

commented 2017-12-06 14:13:03 -0500 · Flag

Whoever you are “Ellen” that wrote this article, you are a biased left wing liberal and should be exposed as such at the onset. Andrea Tantaros is an amazing commentator, speaker, analyst and show host celebrity. I love to see her on the TV shows and I want her back. She brings much needed clarity to the political conversations and is enjoyable to listen to. You, “Ellen” should watch her more yourself and learn from her. You surely need it.

commented 2016-07-08 08:44:38 -0400 · Flag

The last time i saw Andrea was on Outnumbered and she had just shown Geraldo up for the big mouth fool that he is.

commented 2016-06-23 22:16:53 -0400 · Flag

BRING ANDREA BACK###’’’’!!!!!

commented 2016-06-01 17:47:54 -0400 · Flag

Andrea praised Cory Lewandowski after he manhandled Michelle Fields? Manhandled, are you kidding me. I’ve seen people " manhandled" more at a department store on Black Friday. Looks like Fox is beginning to favor PC fluff over substance. Andrea is an unapologetic conservative whose voice, opinions, and commentary are sorely missed at a very critical time in this election cycle. Shame on you Fox News Channel.

commented 2016-05-27 02:11:31 -0400 · Flag

Andrea is articulate, intelligent, and didn’t kiss any fox ass. The others are a bunch of cackling hens, who act superior to others and it is nauseating. I heard a rumor that she and Kennedy engaged in a physical altercation, I hope that Andrea won! Kennedy has a bad attitude and that sour look on her face needs to go. The show is not the same without her and the only reason I can stomach it now is because of Harris Faulkner. She has class, but not as classy as Andrea!

commented 2016-05-26 14:49:17 -0400 · Flag

Without Andrea Tantaros outnumbered is just another dull talk show. I will not be watching.

commented 2016-05-25 01:17:54 -0400 · Flag

I thought Fox opposed PC speech filtering. When Andrea states “And if you see any of those people today, do me a favor, punch ‘em in the face”, it was clearly a rhetorical comment intending no incitement (and none could rationally be inferred). Sounds like Fox is employing a false pretext to me.

commented 2016-05-24 13:39:49 -0400 · Flag

Bob had many warnings before he was fired from The Five. He’s a liberal, I’m a conservative, but I enjoyed Bob, he was honest, brutally honest and that was to much for the owners children who are now at the helm.
Mark my words, Fox will eventually will be as liberal as CNN. It will take some time to move Fox into the socialist ring but they will get there. How much you want to bet Bill O’ will fall into line as his ego craves the stroking he gives himself on his program.

commented 2016-05-24 07:39:33 -0400 · Flag

Do not suppose or support the departure of Tantaros from Fox News. There is a place there for her at FNC. Maybe not happy talk programs (she is harder edged than that and more overtly partisan), but she is surely sharp tongued, conservative, and telegenic. I hope better thing await her, whatever the venue.

commented 2016-05-23 13:24:47 -0400 · Flag

Clearly Rove had something to do with Andrea being dropped. He must have an in with Ailes to get away with his inept observations. Andrea is much more informed than the otherFox girls

commented 2016-05-22 14:30:16 -0400 · Flag

FOX drinks the Kool-Aid

commented 2016-05-21 13:07:00 -0400 · Flag

The altercation was what she was suspended for, not “contract issues”

commented 2016-05-21 13:05:48 -0400 · Flag

There was an altercation that got physical. That’s what led to the suspension not “contract issues”

commented 2016-05-21 13:03:56 -0400 · Flag

She was actually suspended for getting into a physical fight with Kennedy after she said something to her

commented 2016-05-21 12:48:31 -0400 · Flag

ailes is a senile old fart bent on the destruction of his own creation. get him in a strait jacket and lock him up fast!

commented 2016-05-02 10:34:45 -0400 · Flag

Manhandling of Michelle Fields…apparently the courts and the video tape don’t agree with your point of view. As far as inciting violence…how many times have black activists and Islamists called for the outright murder and killing of white people and Americans. Too many times to count.

commented 2016-04-30 23:54:27 -0400 · Flag

Put that in the “Kelly File” column of another show on Fox we won’t be watching. Ms. Tantaros did nothing wrong. It’s the LEFT that is inciting the violence, as well as the ILLEGALS who caused all of the problems in Costa Mesa California the other day.

No “Outnumbered”, no “Shepherd Smith” no “Kelly File.”

commented 2016-04-30 02:02:33 -0400 · Flag

Hm — looks like a few Foxbots took a wrong turn and confused this site for a Fox News site, again . . .

.

commented 2016-04-30 00:02:31 -0400 · Flag

Goes to show how Fox is so unfair and unbalance we all love Andrea outnumber is not the same without her.

commented 2016-04-29 17:33:10 -0400 · Flag

Lizzy Tish, I believe you are correct that Tantaros did not become a daily host until Smith went on maternity leave. But she was listed as one of the regulars in the original Fox press release announcing the Outnumbered show. On Outnumbered, everyone except the #OneLuckyGuy is a cohost.
http://press.foxnews.com/2014/04/fox-news-channel-to-debut-outnumbered-at-12pmet-on-april-28th/

commented 2016-04-29 13:05:33 -0400 · Flag

Shame on you Fox News. You just lost a very large family who was loyal to you!! Fair and balanced? No you are not. This conservative and her family will get their news elsewhere. Disgusting move letting her go on top of other anti Trump shenanigans as of late, Roger Ailes😡

commented 2016-04-29 12:45:12 -0400 · Flag

you are the party of promoting violence can you say ferguson and Baltimore?

commented 2016-04-29 12:43:49 -0400 · Flag

stop being the party of rioting and lying when you say you are not the party of hate lol idiots

commented 2016-04-29 12:41:21 -0400 · Flag

so you libs better get some facts maybe even an education

commented 2016-04-29 12:38:34 -0400 · Flag

funny lets see ed the talking horses ass on msnbc once called a woman rebublican a field slut and he never even got suspended

commented 2016-04-29 10:29:05 -0400 · Flag

First, she had not been a cohost since its inception. She became a regular when Sandra left for maternity leave, and unfortunately was retained as a cohost when Sandra returned. I don’t think the show was ever the same. Much better when they had two rotating co hosts.

Second, I thought Harris and Sandra seemed particularly ebullient this week. (C’mon don’t try to make us think these beautiful, intelligent women all get along so well despite declaring their love for each other.)

I thought Andrea was just off promoting her new book. Was surprised but not unhappy to have the show restored to its original format. Hope it stays that way

commented 2016-04-29 09:40:28 -0400 · Flag

Fox News apparently can’t stand someone who speaks & stands for Truth. Andrea stands up for the insane attacks against Trump but never endorsed him!

commented 2016-04-29 06:45:34 -0400 · Flag

That’s bullshit. That’s all the proof I need to know Fox is A dump Trump news operation. Won’t be watching anymore. Fuck fox news

commented 2016-04-29 06:40:45 -0400 · Flag

That’s bullshit. That’s all the proof I need to know Fox is A dump Trump need operation. Won’t be watching anymore. Fuck fix news

commented 2016-04-29 03:05:54 -0400 · Flag

My guess is that it’s simply that she’s gotten way too big for her shapely britches and has been making demands way above her station and her value to the network. She’s certainly annoying, but in no way uniquely appealing among the herd of right-wing babes Fox employs.

1 2 Next →