Mark Sanford reveals he ate the two baby pigs used for 'pork' spending protest

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) on Monday admitted that he had eaten two baby pigs after using them as props to make a point about wasteful government spending.

After the Republican-controlled South Carolina legislature quickly overrode two of his budget vetoes in 2004, Sanford had walked into the Statehouse carrying two pigs -- named "Pork" and "Barrel" -- under his arms.

"I think it's important to have a sense of humor at the same time that you're making what I think is a serious point about at least limiting pork barrel spending long enough to pay off this unconstitutional deficit," the then-governor said at the time.

During a Wednesday morning MSNBC appearance to discuss his Republican primary win in South Carolina's First Congressional District, host Mika Brzezinski asked Sanford for an update on his animal pals.

"Unfortunately, they were barbecued," Sanford revealed. "They were great little guys. I hate to let you in on it."

"You're going to make me cry because I love pigs," Brzezinski replied.

Sanford will face Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch in a May 7 special election to fill the seat for U.S. representative in the state's First Congressional District.

Watch this video from MSNBC's Morning Joe, broadcast April 3, 2013.

(h/t: Talking Points Memo)