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Brian Kilmeade

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Brian Kilmeade
Kilmeade in 2019
Born (1964-05-07) May 7, 1964 (age 60)
Massapequa, New York, US
Alma materLong Island University (BA)
SpouseDawn DeGaetano
Children3
Websitebriankilmeade.com

Brian Kilmeade (born May 7, 1964) is an American television and radio presenter and political commentator for Fox News. On weekdays he co-hosts the morning show, Fox & Friends, and he hosts the Fox News Radio program The Brian Kilmeade Show. On weekends, he hosts One Nation with Brian Kilmeade, which premiered January 29, 2022. He has authored or co-authored non-fiction and fiction books.

Early life and education

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Kilmeade, born in 1964 in Massapequa, New York, is the second son of Marie Rose (née D'Andrea) Kilmeade and James Kilmeade Jr., who married in 1960. Brian's father was born in 1931, the son of James Kilmeade Sr., who was born in 1905 in Longford, Ireland, immigrated to New York in 1925, and became a U.S. citizen in 1930.[1] Brian's mother was born in 1934 in Ozone Park and raised in St. Albans, Queens.[2]

After graduating from Massapequa High School in 1982, Kilmeade attended LIU Post in Brookville, New York, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1986.

Career

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He began his career as a correspondent on Channel One News, a daily national high school television news program. He later served as an anchor and host for KHSL-TV in Chico, California.[3] He co-hosted The Jim Brown Show on KLSD, an all-sports radio network. In 1993, Kilmeade joined Jim Brown as part of the announcing team for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship event, conducting post-fight interviews. He moved into the play-by-play role for UFC 2 and UFC 3 in 1994.

Kilmeade was a freelance sports anchor for WVIT (NBC) in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning in 1997. He was a sideline reporter for MSG's coverage of Major League Soccer, specifically for the MetroStars.

Later, he worked as a feature reporter and anchor for NewSport where he hosted NewSport Journal, a daily magazine show for the national sports network. He also anchored Scoreboard Central, a live half-hour general sports program. According to his website biography, he has 10 years' experience as a stand-up comedian.[4]

Since 1998 he has co-hosted Fox's cable morning television show, Fox & Friends, along with Steve Doocy and E. D. Hill. In April 2006, he filled in the Fox News Radio time slot of former Fox anchor Tony Snow, who had left the network to become the White House press secretary for the George W. Bush administration. He is a frequent panelist on The Five airing nightly at 5 p.m. eastern on FNC. He also hosts the Fox News Radio program The Brian Kilmeade Show[3] and hosts "What Made America Great" on Fox Nation. As of 2022, he also hosts One Nation with Brian Kilmeade, weekends on Fox News.[5]

In late April 2023, Kilmeade was selected to replace the removed Tucker Carlson, in hosting Fox News Tonight, the replacement for Tucker Carlson Tonight, for the week of April 24.[6]

Political views

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Kilmeade expressed support for the right-wing group English Defence League, often described as an Islamphobic extremist group,[7] during an interview with their leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who also uses the name 'Tommy Robinson'. He finished the interview with the words "Tommy, we got your back and we'll definitely look to keep in touch, it's great what you're doing".[8][9]

"We keep marrying other species and other ethnics"

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On July 8, 2009, Kilmeade and two co-hosts were discussing a study that, based on research done in Finland and Sweden, showed people who stay married are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Kilmeade, whose paternal grandfather was Irish, commented, "[In the United States] we keep marrying other species and other ethnics." Ignoring attempts by co-host Gretchen Carlson (who is of Swedish descent) to interrupt him, he added, "See, the problem is the Swedes have pure genes. Because they marry other Swedes... Finns marry other Finns, so they have a pure society. In America we marry everybody, we marry Italians and Irish."[10]

On July 20, 2009, Kilmeade apologized for his remarks, saying, "I made comments that were offensive to many people. That was not my intention, and looking back at those comments I realize they were inappropriate. For that I sincerely apologize. America [is a] huge melting pot, and that is what makes us such a great country."[11]

"All terrorists are Muslims"

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In 2010, Kilmeade said "not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims."[12] Kilmeade later said he misspoke, "I don't believe all terrorists are Muslims... What I should have said, and I'd like to clarify, is all terrorists who killed us on 9/11; with the Cole; and the Khobar; and the '98 embassies; that's what I should have said."[13]

"Bowe Bergdahl's father looks like a member of the Taliban"

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On June 3, 2014, Kilmeade made a reference about Bowe Bergdahl's father on air, stating, "I mean, he says he was growing his beard because his son was in captivity. Well, your son's out now. So if you really don't want to no longer look like a member of the Taliban, you don't have to look like a member of the Taliban. Are you out of razors?"[14]

Digitally altered image of Judge Bruce Reinhart

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In August 2022, while serving as the fill-in-host of Tucker Carlson Tonight, Kilmeade shared a digitally-altered photo of federal magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart receiving a foot massage from convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.[15] Prior to sharing the photoshopped image, Reinhart, who approved the search warrant used by the FBI during their search of Mar-a-Lago, had already been receiving violent and antisemitic death threats.[15]

Donald Trump

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During Trump's presidency, Kilmeade acted as an informal advisor to the administration, flouting journalistic ethical norms.[16]

On June 22, 2018, Kilmeade on Fox & Friends defended the Trump administration family separation policy by saying, "Like it or not, these are not our kids" in reference to children of illegal immigrants who had been separated from their parents and put in detainment.[17][18]

In 2018, Kilmeade criticized Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes for asking President Donald Trump about climate change. Kilmeade said that Stahl was pushing an "agenda" and injecting her "point of view" into the interview by asking the President whether he truly believed climate change was a hoax. Kilmeade said, "She really believes in global warming and that's fine, and man's role in climate change and that's okay. But I don't think you should bring your point of view ― she was trying to win over the president with her point of view. There are other scientists. Something is going on out there. The role of man has not been unveiled in a way the president accepts."[19][20]

Kilmeade has said that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calling President Donald Trump a "racist" is "personally offensive". Previously, when then-Fox News colleague Glenn Beck called President Barack Obama a "racist" while appearing with Kilmeade on Fox & Friends, Kilmeade did not protest Beck's statement.[21]

On January 6, Kilmeade sent messages to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, telling him to get Trump to condemn the on-going riot. Kilmeade wrote, "Please, get him on TV." and "Destroying everything you have accomplished."[16]

In January 2022, Kilmeade spoke more critically of Trump, telling Trump that he should "learn to lose" and stating that he had "not seen any" proof that the 2020 election had been stolen from Trump. Kilmeade also encouraged Republicans to "get past questioning election results" and stop calling the media "anti-Trump" for accurately pointing out the false election conspiracies.[22][23][24]

On October 23, 2024 Kilmeade defended Trump's praise of Nazi generals by saying on Fox and Friends, "I can absolutely see him going, ‘Now, you know what, it would be great to have German generals that actually do what we ask them to do’ — knowing that’s a third — maybe not fully being cognizant of the third rail of German generals who were Nazis and whatever.” [1]

Personal life

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He is married to Dawn Kilmeade (née DeGaetano), and they have three children: Bryan, Kirstyn, and Kaitlyn.[25]

Books

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  • Kilmeade, Brian (October 12, 2004). The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports. Los Angeles, California: ReganBooks. ISBN 978-0060736736.
  • Kilmeade, Brian (May 1, 2007). It's How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments that Taught Lasting Values to America's Finest. New York City: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0061237263.
  • Kilmeade, Brian; Yaeger, Don (November 5, 2013). George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution. New York City: Sentinel HC. ISBN 978-1595231031., an historical novel based on facts of the Culper Ring spies who worked for George Washington during the American Revolution
  • Kilmeade, Brian; Yaeger, Don (November 3, 2015). Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History. New York City: Sentinel HC. ISBN 978-1591848066., about President Thomas Jefferson and the First Barbary War
  • Kilmeade, Brian; Yaeger, Don (October 24, 2017). Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America's Destiny. New York City: Sentinel HC. ISBN 978-0735213234., about President Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans
  • Kilmeade, Brian (November 5, 2019). Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers: The Texas Victory That Changed American History. New York, New York: Sentinel. ISBN 978-0525540533.
  • Kilmeade, Brian (November 2, 2021). The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul. New York, New York: Sentinel. ISBN 978-0525540571.
  • Kilmeade, Brian (2023). Teddy and Booker T.: How Two American Icons Blazed for Racial Equality. New York, New York: Sentinel. ISBN 978-0593792629.

References

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  1. ^ Marzlock, Ron (28 January 2021). "Fox's Brian Kilmeade's roots run deep in Queens". Queens Chronicle. James Kilmeade, born in Longford, Ireland, in 1905, came to New York in 1925, became a citizen and married in 1930. His son James Jr. was born in 1931. He became a restaurateur, with Kilmeade's of Long Island City and Kilmeade's Inn of Manhasset, LI. He bought a new home at 82-25 Eliot Ave. in Middle Village in 1938. James Jr. met Marie Rose D'Andrea of St. Albans at a Catholic interparish dance, and they married in 1960. They moved to 67-02 188 St. in Fresh Meadows. First son James III was born in 1961. Marie Rose's family soon moved out to Massapequa, LI. Pregnant with their next son, Brian, the Kilmeades bought a house in Massapequa, too. Brian was born in May 1964
  2. ^ "Marie R. Kilmeade". MassapequaFuneralHome.com. 2018. Marie Rose Kilmeade, long time resident of Massapequa, NY passed away at the age of 84 on September 12, 2018. Marie was an amazing woman with an undying love for family and friends. One of America's original soccer mom's. She was born in Ozone Park and raised in St. Albans, Queens.
  3. ^ a b "Brian Kilmeade". Fox News. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Bio". www.BrianKilmeade.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  5. ^ Flood, Brian (January 29, 2022). "Do-it-all Brian Kilmeade adds to Fox duties when 'One Nation' debuts Saturday at 8pm ET". Fox News. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Katie Robertson (24 April 2023). "'Fox News Tonight' Replaces Tucker Carlson's Show". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Goodwin, Matthew (1 March 2013). "The Roots of Extremism: The English Defence League and the Counter-Jihad Challenge | Chatham House: Independent thinking on international affairs". Chatham House. London, England. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  8. ^ Mackey, Robert (27 June 2013). "American Declared Blogger Non Grata in Britain for Anti-Islam Crusade". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "EDL's Tommy Robinson Is 'Great Guy' Says Fox News Presenter Brian Kilmeade (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. New York City. December 6, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  10. ^ Koppelman, Alex (July 8, 2009). "'Fox News' Kilmeade: We 'marry other species,' Finns 'pure'". Salon.com. San Francisco, California: Salon Media Group. Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  11. ^ Drivas, Peter (July 20, 2009). "Brian Kilmeade Apologizes For Racist 'Pure Species' Comment". The Huffington Post. New York City: Huffington Post Media Group. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  12. ^ Love, Erik (2017). Islamophobia and Racism in America. NYU Press. p. 21.
  13. ^ Stelter, Brian (18 October 2010). "Fox Host Says He 'Misspoke' About Muslims". Media Decoder Blog. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  14. ^ Kaczynski, Andrew (June 3, 2014). "Multiple Fox Hosts Say American POW's Father Looks 'Like A Muslim,' 'Member Of Taliban'". BuzzFeed. New York City. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Vaillancourt, William (2022-08-12). "Fox News Airs Doctored Photo of Trump Raid Judge With Ghislaine Maxwell". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  16. ^ a b Windolf, Jim; Koblin, John (2021-12-15). "Fox News Hosts Take the Offensive About Texts to Meadows". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  17. ^ Wise, Justin (June 22, 2018). "'Fox & Friends' host on detained children: 'These aren't our kids'". The Hill. Washington DC: Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  18. ^ Miller, Ryan (June 22, 2018). "'Fox & Friends' host Brian Kilmeade on border separations: 'These aren't our kids'". USA Today. Mclean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  19. ^ Miller, Hayley (October 15, 2018). "Fox News' Brian Kilmeade Calls Man-Made Climate Change A 'Point Of View'". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  20. ^ Bort, Ryan (October 15, 2018). "Trump in Five Words: 'I'm President and You're Not'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  21. ^ Baragona, Justin (July 17, 2019). "Fox News' Brian Kilmeade Complains That Calling Trump a Racist 'Is Personally Offensive'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  22. ^ Cheryl Teh (January 12, 2022). "Fox News host Brian Kilmeade says Donald Trump and Republicans need to 'learn to lose'". Yahoo News. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  23. ^ Ewan Palmer (January 12, 2022). "Fox News Host Brian Kilmeade Tells Donald Trump: 'Learn To Lose'". Newsweek. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Nicholas Reimann (January 11, 2022). "GOP Figures Blast Trump's Rehashing Of Election Fraud Claims: 'Learn To Lose'". Forbes. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "Brian Kilmeade the News".
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