MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle apologized on Saturday for an on-air comment apparently mocking newly appointed White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow's faith, saying she "meant no offense" by the remarks.
"As a reporter, a mom & a Catholic, I know words matter & I want to clear something up. I meant no offense when discussing @larry_kudlow’s WH appointment," Ruhle tweeted.
"I apologize if my comments came off as dismissive of his faith," she added. "I would never question another person’s believe in God."
As a reporter, a mom & a Catholic, I know words matter & I want to clear something up.
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) March 17, 2018
I meant no offense when discussing @larry_kudlow’s WH appointment. I apologize if my comments came off as dismissive of his faith.
I would never question another person’s believe in God.
The apology came after Ruhle faced criticism for making an offhand remark on Thursday in response to a statement by Kudlow, in which he said that his tenure in President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump: 'I don't trust everybody in the White House' JPMorgan CEO withdraws from Saudi conference Trump defends family separations at border MORE's White House will be decided by "God's will."
"That’s an interesting way to talk about being the national economic adviser to the president. 'God’s will?' " Ruhle said.
The remark prompted a response from Kudlow himself, who accused Ruhle in a tweet of "sneering at faith" and questioned why the MSNBC host was still on the air.
"Sneering at faith, and God's will, @SRuhle @MSNBC . Why still on air?" Kudlow tweeted. "She apparently believes people in business & economics should not have faith."
Sneering at faith, and God's will, @SRuhle @MSNBC . Why still on air? She apparently believes people in business & economics should not have faith.https://t.co/LxFLm8KgMG
— Larry Kudlow (@larry_kudlow) March 16, 2018
Kudlow tweeted on Saturday that he had accepted Ruhl's apology:
To @SRuhle : thank you for apology. I accept. Let's move on. See soon.
— Larry Kudlow (@larry_kudlow) March 17, 2018
Kudlow was tapped earlier this week to replace Gary Cohn as Trump's top economic adviser. Cohn resigned earlier this month amid disagreements with the president over new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
