Rachel Maddow Homophobic Remark Fallout: Suspended Fox Anchor Tricia Macke Apologizes

Local anchor in southern Ohio expresses regret after posting online comments slamming the MSNBC gabber for her gender and sexuality

By Josh Grossberg Nov 14, 2012 4:31 PMTags
Rachel MaddowNBC

After being sidelined for making a homophobic comment about Rachel Maddow, a Fox anchor in Ohio is now offering up a mea culpa.

Tricia Macke, a reporter with Fox 19 Cincinnati, got into trouble and was removed from the air on Sunday after posting on her Facebook page last month that the liberal MSNBC host, who's an open lesbian, is "such an angry young man."

After taking heat from some of her followers, she subsequently upped the ante, writing, "I am sorry. I should have said antagonistic."

Macke subsequently took down the posts, which were written on Oct. 12.  But GLAAD took a screenshot of the offensive remarks and called on the station Friday to condemn them, demanding that she apologize.

"Referring to Maddow as a 'man' because she is a gay woman is completely unacceptable for someone in the business of journalism," stated the gay rights organization.

After Fox 19 handed Macke a two-day suspension and apologized "to anyone who may have been offended by her comments," the journalist followed suit.

"I recently posted comments on my personal Facebook page regarding cable news anchor Rachel Maddow which were insensitive and inappropriate," Macke said in a statement on the station's website. "I apologize to Ms. Maddow and any others who may have been offended by my comments, as they do not reflect my firm beliefs in individual and equal rights, and they certainly do not represent the opinions or position of my employer WXIX-TV."

Macke resumed her regular duties anchoring Fox 19's 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on Tuesday.

A rep for MSNBC was unavailable for comment.

(E! Online and MSNBC are part of the NBCUniversal family.)