Geraldo Rivera slams Rush Limbaugh, says talk of secession is 'treason'

A day after conservative radio giant Rush Limbaugh said on his radio show that he thinks the country is trending toward secession, Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera appeared on The Story With Martha MacCallum where he ripped into Limbaugh. In fact, he said such talk of secession is treasonous.

“I think talk of secession is treason, Martha,” Rivera said. “I want to be very clear, Rush Limbaugh is a powerhouse broadcaster, he’s one in a zillion. They come along once in a generation, but that talk is reckless, it’s irresponsible.”

After his comments went viral and he received backlash, Limbaugh said he was simply relaying the speculation of others, adding that he was not and does not advocate secession.

Rivera, whose wife is a Democrat, went on to show that people don’t have to be just on one side or the other, pointing out that although he’s a supporter of President Trump and lives in a red state, he also agrees with Democrats on some issues.

“I live in Ohio, red state. I strongly supported President Trump, but I’m also pro gun-control, pro-immigration reform, I’m pro-choice,” Rivera said. “Leaders who accentuate the differences and exacerbate the divide are themselves responsible.”

Video Transcript

GERALDO RIVERA: I think talk of secession is treason, Martha. I want to be very clear-- Rush Limbaugh is a powerhouse broadcaster. He's one in a zillion. They come along once a generation. But that talk is reckless, it's irresponsible.

KYLIE MAR: On this story with Martha MacCallum Thursday night, Geraldo Rivera ripped into conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who on Wednesday suggested that the country is trending towards secession.

GERALDO RIVERA: I live in Ohio, a red state. I'm strongly supported President Trump, but I'm also pro-gun control, pro-immigration reform. Leaders who accentuate the differences and exacerbate the divide are themselves responsible.

KYLIE MAR: Limbaugh walked back the comments on Thursday after receiving backlash, saying he was only relaying the speculation of others. Adding that he was not, and does not, advocate secession. But that didn't stop Rivera from poking a hole in one of Limbaugh's reasons for why he thought it was possible in the first place.

GERALDO RIVERA: I had to laugh. Rush goes on to say that people where he is have no idea what people in New York are thinking, and they're so different, they're like a different species. Half of New York lives in Florida where Rush Limbaugh lives. It's preposterous. Let's get over it.