Fox News has banned a retired general from appearing on the network following his controversial comments about Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
A spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney is no longer welcome on Fox News and Fox Business Network after he said torture worked on McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam.
McInerney’s comments, made during an appearance on Fox Business Network on Thursday, were in response to McCain encouraging his Senate colleagues to reject Gina Haspel’s nomination for CIA director over her past association with the agency’s enhanced interrogation practices.
“The fact is, is John McCain — it worked on John. That’s why they call him ‘Songbird John,'” McInerney said.
“The fact is those methods can work, and they are effective, as former Vice President [Dick] Cheney said. And if we have to use them to save a million American lives, we will do whatever we have to,” he continued.
Fox Business host Charles Payne, who was interviewing McInerney when the comments were made, apologized for the “very false” and “derogatory” comments.
Payne said he did not confront McInerney on air because a producer was speaking into his ear piece and he didn’t hear it.
“As a proud military veteran and son of a Vietnam vet, these words neither reflect my or the network’s feelings about Sen. McCain or his remarkable service and sacrifice to this country,” Payne said.
