NEW YORK _ A Fox News guest's statement Monday night that teen climate activist Greta Thunberg is "mentally ill" was so obnoxious the network's bosses quickly apologized.
Michael Knowles, a right-wing podcaster, spoke during Fox News's "The Story" about what he called the "climate hysteria movement."
"The climate hysteria movement is not about science," said Knowles. "If it were about science, it would be led by scientists rather than by politicians and a mentally ill Swedish child who is being exploited by her parents and by the international left."
Christopher Hahn, a Fox News regular, ripped into Knowles' comment. "You are a grown man. Shame on you," he said.
When Knowles tried to speak further, Hahn went on: "Relax, skinny boy. I got this ... You are despicable for talking about her like that and you should apologize on national television right now."
Knowles dug himself in. "She is mentally ill ... She is mentally ill ... She has autism, she has compulsive disorder."
Thunberg's Twitter bio says: "16 year old climate activist with Asperger's."
Fox News issued a statement, first reported by the Daily Beast: "The comment made by Michael Knowles who was a guest on The Story tonight was disgraceful _ we apologize to Greta Thunberg and to our viewers."
