MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle tweeted an apology Saturday for dismissive remarks she made last week about Larry Kudlow's Christian faith, saying she would never question another person's belief in God.
Kudlow is a longtime CNBC host who has been appointed by President Donald Trump to be head of the National Economic Council. Kudlow spoke on CNBC about trusting in "God's will" last week about the appointment, to which Ruhle on Thursday called "an interesting way to talk about being the national economic adviser to the president."
She mocked him again later in the same show, raising her mug to "God's will."
Kudlow balked at the remarks on Twitter, saying she was "sneering at 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 17, 2018
Although her co-host Ali Velshi initially defended her, Ruhle subsequently tweeted she wanted to "clear something up."
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. I apologize if my comments came off as dismissive of his faith.
I would never question another person’s believe in God.— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) March 17, 2018
Kudlow wrote he accepted, saying, "Let's move on."
To @SRuhle : thank you for apology. I accept. Let's move on. See soon.
— Larry Kudlow (@larry_kudlow) March 17, 2018
Ruhle's derisive remarks are not the only recent example of an on-air TV personality making contemptuous remarks about Christians. "The View" co-host Joy Behar drew sharp criticism last month for mocking Vice President Mike Pence for a report that he believes Jesus speaks to him, calling it a "mental illness."
Behar also apologized, both in a private phone call to Pence and then on her show last week.