SCHLESSINGER: This is -- yes. Yes, we've added five stations this week and we added sponsors. This is not an issue of I'm losing anything. You and I were -- anointed as, in the top seven of the most important radio hosts in America. I just got nominated for a Marconi, had great ratings.

This is not an issue of hiding, running, collapsing or quitting.

KING: So, if you've added sponsors, although we get, this group that was after you, “Media Matters” --

SCHLESSINGER: Well, that's their job in life.

KING: They said Motel 6 stopped advertising.

SCHLESSINGER: This proves my point.

KING: Netflix, OnStar, they're going to distance themselves, Advanced Auto Parts. But if you've added new sponsors --

SCHLESSINGER: And I've also added sponsors.

KING: So, where have you lost freedom of speech? You can say whatever you like and they can criticize and they can try to take you --

SCHLESSINGER: Larry, you're missing the point.

KING: I am?

SCHLESSINGER: Living with a constant fear of affiliates and sponsors being attacked is very distracting. It's -- it's -- the list that you just made. I didn't even know about that. I knew about Motel 6. I didn't know about the rest of that.

But I expected it to happen because these companies are in the business are in business. They're supporting their own families. They're supporting other families. They don't want to be in the middle of controversy. They want to be doing their business.

So, it's not a matter necessarily of them agreeing with the special interest group. It's a matter of them wanting to skirt the problems. I don't need --

KING: Who is the special interest group?

SCHLESSINGER: Well, like “Media Matters” and some of the other groups that have lined up to decide that I should be silenced because they disagree with my points of view. I never called anybody a bad word. I was trying to bring -- and obviously, it has become a national discussion now -- I was trying to make a philosophical point and I made it wrong.

But I wasn't dissing anybody. I was trying to make a point. And for that to say I should be silenced is the reason that I'm saying to you, I obviously am losing First Amendment rights.

KING: You agree, though, that's a horrible word?

SCHLESSINGER: Yes, and I policed myself.