Additional Coverage:
- Fox and Friends fans slam Rachel Campos-Duffy for ‘ridiculous’ on-air habit that drives them ‘crazy’ (irishstar.com)
Viewers Call Out Rachel Campos-Duffy Over “Ridiculous” On-Air Accent Habit
FOX AND FRIENDS WEEKENDS host Rachel Campos-Duffy is once again facing criticism from viewers, this time over an on-air habit that some are calling “ridiculous” and “annoying.” The debate ignited after Newsmax host Robert Finnerty questioned the practice of news anchors adopting accents when pronouncing non-native language words.
The discussion, which gained traction on social media, quickly brought Campos-Duffy, 54, into the spotlight. Viewers accused her of using an “exaggerated” accent during segments, particularly when pronouncing Spanish names. This isn’t the first time Campos-Duffy has drawn criticism, having previously faced backlash for “tone-deaf” comments regarding a Minneapolis shooting.
Finnerty’s initial comments on October 28 highlighted the issue by playing a clip of a non-Spanish speaking host using a Spanish accent to pronounce a fellow broadcaster’s name. “I just don’t get why we do this or who started it… but whenever it is a Spanish name you’re suddenly required and expected to shape shift into the perfect Spanish accent,” Finnerty stated. He noted that even “normal everyday news people do it all the time – they forget years of training, they forget their non-regional diction.”
The 43-year-old anchor pointed out the inconsistency, mentioning that “Telemundo anchors by the way – just say Rosarina Breton. But for whatever reason we all feel the need to pronounce it like we’re living in Mexico, like we’re living in a country where Spanish is the native tongue. That’s not the case here in the U.S.”
Finnerty further illustrated his point by using an exaggerated Irish accent, questioning if he would be introduced with such an accent due to his heritage, or if a Chinese host would be introduced with a Chinese accent. “I don’t think so.
So stop doing it when they’re Spanish. Just stop it,” he concluded.
The segment sparked a lively online debate, with many viewers quick to mention Campos-Duffy. “My wife and I have been saying this for years now.
Even Rachel Campos-Duffy, does it fox and friends weekends. It drives me crazy,” one person commented, echoing Finnerty’s Irish ancestry example.
Another viewer stated, “Fox New’s Rachel Campos-Duffy does it all the time and it’s one of the biggest reasons I stopped watching Fox News.” A third person directly appealed, “Someone please let sweet Rachel Campos Duffy from Fox News know how annoying this is!!”
Some viewers even recalled a similar “SNL” skit from nearly 30 years ago, featuring Jimmy Smits as a Hispanic news anchor and white anchors comically over-pronouncing Spanish words.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. A segment of viewers defended Campos-Duffy, arguing that pronouncing names as accurately as possible is a sign of respect.
“It’s wild how respecting someone’s name means doing too much, but mispronouncing it is fine? What if YOUR name carried your legacy, wouldn’t you want it said right?”
one person wrote. Another dismissed the controversy as a “non-issue,” suggesting, “People just want something to be mad at 24×7.”
A third added, “I couldn’t care less. That it bothers him that much is more telling than anything.”