Fox News host forced to look up ‘oligarchy’ on live TV to explain latest Russia news

Fox News conservative political commentator Ainsley Earhardt on Friday offered “Fox and Friends” viewers a definition lesson on the word “oligarch,” wondering if her fellow co-hosts “have ever used the word before the last few months.”

Earhardt was discussing a series of sanctions imposted on Russian oligarchs and government officials, including Oleg Deripaska—the Russia oily tycoon who was offered “private briefings” by former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort during the 2016 presidential election.”

“We were just saying, have you ever used the word oligarch before the last few months?” Earnhardt asked. “It is a ruler in an oligarchy—which doesn’t explain much—but a very rich business leader with a great deal of political influence.”

Indeed, Deripaska and six other oligarchs linked to Russia President Vladimir Putin, along with 12 companies they control, were sanctioned by the Treasury Department in response to Russian interference in the presidential election and the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England last month.

Earhardt and “Fox and Friends” have largely ignored coverage of Russian meddling in the U.S. election. Earlier this year, she dismissed reports on special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation as “un-American” and wondered if viewers “even care” about Trump’s reported attempt to fire Mueller or the Russia probe in general.

Last year, Earhardt claimed the media’s interest in the Russia investigation is misplaced because “most people don’t even know where Russia is on the map.”

Watch "Word of the week with Ainsley Earhardt" below:

.@AinsleyEarhardt says she hadn't used the word "oligarchy" until a few months ago, then reads the definition from the dictionary. pic.twitter.com/V5jKnbaP5v

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 6, 2018