"We are aware of the offensive comments made by Dennis and Judi during today’s broadcast," the station said Wednesday night. "We have taken immediate action and have taken them off the air until further notice. We are investigating the matter and will have further comment shortly."
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| Judy & Dennis |
The pair continued to call Grewal "Turban Man" throughout the segment.
The comments caught widespread attention on social media and in national news stories late Wednesday evening, around the time Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement saying he was "outraged" by the comments. An audio recording of the segment was cited frequently on social media as well.
Murphy, in a statement released just after 9 p.m., described the hosts' comments as "abhorrent and xenophobic." His statements were echoed in similar criticisms from the state ACLU, state Sen. Vin Gopal, Hoboken Mayor Mayor Ravi Bhalla and others.Grewal is the state's first Sikh attorney general, and the American-born son of immigrant parents.
"A proud son of New Jersey and of immigrants, Gurbir has committed his life to giving back to the state and nation that have given his family so much. His story is the American story," Murphy said when he announced Grewal's nomination last year.
Malloy and Franco acknowledged during their afternoon show that their reference to Grewal may be considered offensive. But they dismissed that possibility and suggested it was the fault of Grewal, the country's first Sikh attorney general, that he was being referred to in a way that could be perceived as derogatory.
"Listen, and if that offends you, then don't wear the turban and maybe I'll remember your name," Malloy said.
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