Radio host Dan Bongino challenged the validity of Cumulus Media’s vaccine mandates, railed against CEO Mary Berner, and reiterated his desire to leave the company during a diatribe that was brought on by Cumulus firing more employees because of vaccine requirements Thursday.
The rant began at the top of the second hour with Bongino discussing an email that was sent out by Berner regarding the termination of unidentified employees who were let go in the name of “public health.”
Bongino said Berner addressed the company by saying that “regretfully because of public health, we had to let some people go because of the vaccine mandates.”
“I don’t understand what the public health component is,” said Bongino. “The vaccine is entirely ineffective against stopping transmission from Omicron and that’s been scientifically proven.”
In October, Bongino issued an ultimatum to Cumulus Media, demanding that they get rid of their vaccine requirements or fire him.
Thursday, Bongino became furious when the company not only fired more employees over mandates but also notified its employees that “vaccine misinformation” was being broadcast over the radio. Bongino then proceeded to invite Berner on the show multiple times to defend the company’s policy.
“You want to come on the show?” Bongino asked several times. “Let’s have a little debate. I hope you’re not talking about this show [broadcasting vaccine misinformation] because if you did, and you had any guts, you would say don’t come back tomorrow.”
Bongino told his audience that “he doesn’t work for Berner and that Berner works for him.”
“I don’t need you, you need me,” he said. “Nobody is listening to the Mary Berner show. I don’t need you for anything.”
Bongino admitted that he is double vaccinated and also said that he was not going to get the booster shot citing a battle with COVID-19 following the vaccination process.
Cumulus Media is not the only broadcasting company to require its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Most, if not all, major radio companies like Audacy and iHeartMedia have mandates in place.
I stand with Dan. Will not listen to that time slot if he’s not there.