Fox News host Jesse Watters used his platform to ridicule U.S. Olympic gold medalist Breezy Johnson for identifying as bisexual during a segment called “DEI Thursdays.” The segment, which aired on Fox News, featured a graphic of civil rights activist Al Sharpton and disparaging commentary on Johnson’s sexuality.
Watters introduced Johnson as a “gold medal skier” before making a sexually suggestive joke about her orientation, stating, “Well, she doesn’t ski straight.” A chyron reading “Bi on the Bunny Slopes” appeared as Watters played a clip of Johnson discussing her bisexuality in a CBS interview.
Johnson had previously stated that she felt compelled to disclose her sexuality because “the world of champions is not just comprised of straight white people.” Watters responded by making light of Johnson’s engagement to a man, questioning whether she would take her husband’s last name.
This is not the first instance of Watters belittling women on air. His remarks come as no surprise given his history of making disparaging comments about female public figures. Johnson confirmed her engagement to boyfriend Connor Watkins at the Milan Cortina Games following a race, and the incident has drawn criticism for its homophobic undertones and unprofessional conduct.
Watters’ commentary highlights a pattern of Fox News hosts using their shows to promote divisive rhetoric under the guise of humor. The segment exemplifies how conservative media outlets often weaponize identity politics to ridicule marginalized communities and reinforce harmful stereotypes.
