Former Ambassador Joe Wilson laced into Donald Trump on Friday saying the president was “venal” and — using a swear word — insisted that he was just trying to profit off the presidency.
“I don’t think he actually has a mind. I think he basically is very venal, is looking to get himself through to the next day and put as many f–ing dollars into his bank account as he possibly can,” he said calling in and catching himself a little too late for MSNBC anchor Katy Tur, who ended the interview.
“Ambassador Joe Wilson, thank you very much. We appreciate your time,” said Tur. “I’m sorry for the vulgarity right there,” she added.
“I apologize for the profanity, but these are serious times,” Wilson laughed to Tur — who seemed less amused by the situation.
“Yeah,” she said with a pained expression. “Thank you very much for calling in.”
You can watch the clip above.
Largely off the radar in recent years, Wilson is having a moment back in the public eye thanks to President Trump’s decision today to pardon former Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, Scooter Libby. Libby was convicted of leaking the name of Wilson’s wife, CIA agent Valerie Plame, to journalist Robert Novak.
Libby was convicted and jailed for his role in endangering Plame. Former President George W. Bush commuted the former aide’s sentence to time served but declined to pardon him.