Delmarva Radio: WGMD Fires Talk Host After Muslin Dust-Up

Jake Smith

Last February 20th, WGMD 92.7 FM (Rehoboth Beach, DE) morning talk cohost Jake Smith, said on air that "as far as I'm concerned, not every Muslim is guilty, but every Muslim is suspect" of sympathizing with Islamic extremists.

According to The News-Journal, when a caller to his show said Smith was "a bigot." Smith replied, "you're a jackass."

He has not returned to WGMD's airwaves since.

Smith's 97 seconds of verbal sparring, which aired during the live "Mike and Jake in the Morning" show on WGMD, led to his dismissal from the station that same day.

During a segment of the morning show focusing on Islamic extremism, Smith said: "Muslims do not stand up for America – and they don't, they didn't stand up for America during 9/11, they didn't stand up for America during Ft. Hood, they've never stood out and said, 'This has to stop' – I haven't heard one Muslim in this country do that.

"As far as I'm concerned, not every Muslim is guilty, but every Muslim is suspect," he continued.

Cutting through crosstalk between as Smith and a caller yelling at each other, the caller said simply, "bigot."

"I'm a bigot? You know what, you're a bigot!" Smith replied angrily. "Oh, you're a jackass. You know what? You're done. That jackass."

Smith, 57, told The News Journal the station's ownership was displeased with how he handled the call and told him he'd have to treat such callers differently in the future. When Smith said he wouldn't, he said he was canned.

WGMD 92.7 FM (2.6 Kw) Re60dBu Local Coverage Area

The station has not noted on-air his absence from the airwaves. "Mike and Jake in the Morning" became "Mike Bradley in the Morning," overnight. The station's manager, Walt Palmer, confirmed Smith's last day with the station was Feb. 20, although he declined to discuss why.