Journalist Geraldo Rivera has been on the front lines of some of the biggest stories of our lifetime. In the 1970s, Rivera exposed the horrible living conditions of disabled children and adults at a facility on Staten Island called Willowbrook. He’s also credited with an investigative report into the death of Elvis Presley.
In recent years, Rivera has taken a different role at Fox News. Heated exchanges with colleagues Dan Bongino and Greg Gutfeld have drawn criticism from pundits. On Wednesday, syndicated talk show host Joe Pags took exception to something Rivera said on “The Five.”
“If you were to bet on a reporter in the ’70s and ’80s, that’s the guy you bet on,” said Pags. “I don’t know what happened to him, but he went from a guy who was skeptical, questioned things, found things out, brought us information.”
Pags stated Rivera may have lost his “mojo” after he failed to find anything in Al Capone’s secret vault during a highly publicized national TV event.
“He (Rivera) has always been kind of a hot head; he’s always been kind of out there,” Pags said. “What he said about AR-15s tells you what the constant pounding of the radical left will do to somebody’s brain.”
“I submit to you, ladies and gentlemen, there is no legitimate reason … to have an AR-15,” said Rivera.
Co-host Greg Gutfeld asked Rivera what AR stood for, to which Rivera replied, “automatic rifle.” According to The Firearm Industry Trade Association, the AR stands for ArmaLite, the company that developed the machine gun in the 1950s.
“Back in the day, Geraldo Rivera was the guy,” said Pags. “Something has happened to him.”
Pags reiterated his respect for Rivera’s journalistic accomplishments and shared that he interviewed Rivera when he was a TV anchor in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at WWMT.
“I told him I got into this business because of people like you,” added Pags.
