Hugh Hewitt has quit as a contributing columnist to The Washington Post, after storming out of a Post live event Friday morning over an argument regarding former President Trump’s criticism of elections in Bucks County, Pa.
Hewitt informed Post opinion editor David Shipley of his decision to quit hours after the incident, Fox News Digital reported. The New York Post first reported Hewitt had quit the Post, and The Hill has contacted Hewitt for further comment.
Hewitt last contributed a column for the Post this week but has only published in the outlet a handful of times this year.
The Post did not confirm Hewitt’s exit but said in a statement to The Hill on Friday “as the newsroom’s live journalism platform, Washington Post Live is known for its dynamic conversations and thought-provoking perspectives on top issues of the day, such as this morning’s First Look program.”
Earlier Friday, the conservative radio host and political pundit walked out of a Washington Post Live event hosted by journalist Jonathan Capehart.
Capehart had asked fellow Post journalist Ruth Marcus if Trump was “laying the groundwork” to contest the result of next week’s presidential election, when Hewitt interjected.
“Jonathan, I’ve gotta speak up,” he said.
“Well, I’ve just got to say, we’re news people, even though it’s the opinion section,” Hewitt said after Marcus finished. “It’s got to be reported. Bucks County was reversed by the court and instructed to open up extra days because they violated the law and told people to go home. So, that lawsuit was brought by the Republican National Committee, and it was successful. The Supreme Court ruled that Glenn Youngkin was successful,” he added, referring to the Virginia governor’s efforts to purge some 1,600 people from the voter rolls.
After Capehart said he didn’t appreciate Hewitt’s “lecture” about facts, the conservative pundit took his earpiece out and stormed off.
“I’m done. This is the most unfair election ad I’ve ever been a part of,” Hewitt continued, his face no longer visible on the screen. “You guys are working, that’s fine, I’m done.”
