Fox News host holds up 'bloody hand' in live TV protest against war in Syria
Eric Bolling disrupts live debate to warn US public 'we should be very careful before we shed any more blood'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Fox News host has protested against war in Syria by covering his hand in “blood” live on television.
Eric Bolling, a financial analyst and co-host on Fox’s The Five current affairs discussion panel show, turned to face the camera mid-debate and said: “I have to do this.”
He then held up his hand, apparently smeared with blood, and warned the viewing American public that “we should be very careful before we shed any more blood – ours or theirs”.
Mr Bolling, who had just been criticising President Barack Obama for getting the US involved in Syria by setting a “red line” regarding chemical weapons use, said: “There is no reason to shed blood – ours or theirs – for a civil war between two radical Muslim groups who frankly hate us.”
He concluded: “This is not our war people, we need to stay out of the Middle East.”
His fellow panel members on The Five seemed shocked – even a little amused – by the protest, and asked him: “Where did you get that stuff from?”
He replied “It’s ketchup.”
Views took to Twitter to respond, and some were supportive - @FloridaJayhawk posted: “I liked the bloody hand today… #NoSyrianWar.”
Others described it as “disgusting”, while Thomas Nichols, Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College, accused Mr Balling of “going full tin foil”.
He said: “I regret ever having defended him on my blog as a reasonable commentator. My bad.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments