Imus: "[I]t was Bernard who said, 'Besa mi culo' ... not me"

On the February 8 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning, during a discussion with Newsweek magazine chief political correspondent Howard Fineman, host Don Imus falsely claimed that "it was [executive producer] Bernard [McGuirk] who said, 'Besa mi culo ... Gordo, [to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson] not me." The phrase loosely translates to "kiss my ass, fat one," in Spanish. As Media Matters for America noted at the time, however, Imus echoed McGuirk -- labeled by Media Matters as "unidentified" -- saying "besa mi culo" at least twice himself on the February 1 edition of Imus. Richardson's mother is Mexican.

From the February 8 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning:

IMUS: He says that they are now addressing this issue -- the state is -- and they're going to help the people of Ribera [New Mexico] and Gloria do this. But they wouldn't have done that had I not screamed about it.

And the fat governor was supposed to come on the program but wouldn't come on because he wanted -- he and his mouth-breathing yuppie nitwit latte-licking staff -- wanted me to apologize for saying -- and it was Bernard who said, "Besa mi culo ... Gordo" -- not me.

And he wanted me to apologize to him for -- for screaming about them screwing Gloria and I wasn't -- I refused to do it.

FINEMAN: Well, they should know that you have only one gear and that's forward.

From the February 1 edition of Imus in the Morning:

IMUS: And then that fat governor wants me to apologize? How 'bout if I whip your fat ass, Bill? How does that sound?

McGUIRK: Besa mi culo.

IMUS: Yeah, besa mi culo, Richardson.

[...]

IMUS: And then another one of these little pinheads says to Julie that they're demanding an apology.

Here's my apology: Besa mi culo! How is that?

McGUIRK: Gordo.

IMUS: Gordo. Governor Richardson better get on the phone and apologize, one, to me, and then apologize to Gloria Gonzalez and the people of Ribera.

—R.C.