MSNBC host Martin Bashir resigned from the network Wednesday, two weeks after making the graphic suggestion that someone defecate in former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s mouth.
“After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday,” Bashir said in a statement.
“Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the president of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation.”
MSNBC president Phil Griffin said in a statement that Bashir resigned Wednesday, effective immediately.
“I understand his decision and I thank him for three great years with MSNBC. Martin is a good man and respected colleague – we wish him only the best,” Griffin wrote.
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Bashir got into hot water after criticizing Palin for using a slavery analogy in her remarks about U.S. debt to China. The host himself used a slavery analogy to demonstrate what he called her “rank ignorance,” suggesting Palin deserved a brutal punishment in which slaves were forced to urinate and defecate on each other’s faces.
“It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at [MSNBC], will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments,” Bashir wrote.
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Palin had canceled an interview with NBC’s Today Show over the flap, apparently because NBC News did not do enough to separate itself from MSNBC and condemn Bashir’s remarks.
Joy-Ann Reid has been hosting the 4pm hour on MSNBC while Bashir was on Thanksgiving vacation and will host Wednesday. MSNBC said it would have an announcement about a permanent replacement host in the coming weeks.
Tim Kenneally contributed to this report.