Apparently ABC News standards have dropped since Geraldo Rivera used to work for them. Unlike George Stephanopolous -- who is currently still employed even after his $75,000 donation to the Clinton Foundation -- Rivera was axed when he made a mere $200 political contribution back in 1985.
Appearing on Friday’s edition of FNC’s Fox and Friends, Rivera told the cast “I was fired by ABC News in 1985...the official reason given for my being fired in 1985 was a $200 donation I made to a non-partisan mayoral campaign.”
Rivera did add that he was in “a very contentious relationship” with his then boss Roone Arledge and pointed out that is why Stephanopolous, perhaps, still has his job: “I was at odds with ABC News management. George Stephanopoulos is the darling of ABC News management so they will treat him with kid gloves. They will try their best to protect and preserve him because he is very effective as a broadcaster.”
The following is a transcript of the relevant portion of the May 15 edition of FNC’s Fox and Friends:
GERALDO RIVERA: He [George Stephanopolous] made a terrible miscalculation there. He should have revealed to the public and certainly to his employers. Remember I was fired by ABC News in 1985. The official reason given for my firing in 1985, of course, I had a very contentious relationship with my boss Roone Arledge at the time for other matters. But the official reason given for my being fired in 1985 was a $200 donation I made to a non-partisan mayoral campaign in the town of New Bedford, Massachusetts to a family friend.
That was - ABC news seized on that because we had this fight going on between me and the bosses anyway. They seized on my $200 nonpartisan donation and I’ve never since 1985 as a result of that given my money to any P.A.C, any candidate because it was taken so seriously.
But I was at odds with ABC News management. George Stephanopoulos is the darling of ABC News management so they will treat him with kid gloves. They will try their best to protect and preserve him because he is very effective as a broadcaster.
