This past Wednesday, Newsmax contributor Mark Halperin publicly escalated his feud with the network's prominent host Rob Finnerty by branding him "a despicable human being" in response to a viewer's comment on X. This incident marks a significant intensification in what has previously been perceived as mere political sparring on-air.
Halperin has been a regular on Newsmax since 2020, often appearing alongside Finnerty, the host of "Finnerty" and "Wake Up America." While the two have clashed over political views before, their disagreements had generally stayed within the realm of professional debate until this recent outburst.
The comment came as a response to a viewer's post on X, where Halperin did not mince words about his colleague. This public denouncement has sparked a wave of reactions from both the network's staff and its audience, highlighting underlying tensions that may have been simmering beneath the surface of their political discussions.
Rob Finnerty has not yet responded publicly to Halperin's insult. Known for his morning show "Wake Up America" and his nightly program "Finnerty," Finnerty's direct engagement with Halperin has often been a highlight for viewers.
The relationship between Halperin and Finnerty has been marked by several notable on-air moments. For instance, they have had heated debates regarding media coverage of political figures, with Halperin often critiquing what he perceives as biased reporting, while Finnerty defends his network's editorial stance. One memorable incident involved an April Fools' Day prank by Finnerty, where he falsely announced Russia's surrender to Ukraine, a stunt Halperin reacted to with visible dismay on-air, though at the time, the reaction seemed more about the inappropriateness of the prank than personal animosity.
This latest episode raises questions about the future of Halperin's role at Newsmax, given his history of controversy coupled with his current public spat with one of its star anchors.
Newsmax has yet to comment on the situation, which leaves many wondering how this personal feud might affect the network's programming or the dynamic between its on-air talent. Viewers of "Wake Up America" and "Finnerty" might anticipate a shift in tone or even content, especially if the network decides to mediate or address the public fallout.
We’ve reached out to both Rob and Mark who as of yet have not responded.