FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Roger Stone, a political operative whose 40-month prison sentence was commuted this month by President Donald Trump, his longtime friend, allegedly used the racial slur “Negro” during a call-in interview with a Los Angeles-based Black radio host.
Stone fired back Sunday at his Fort Lauderdale home saying, “This is just more fake news.”
The exchange occurred on Saturday’s Mo’Kelly Show, whose host — Morris O’Kelly — grilled Stone on his conviction for lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing a congressional committee proceeding investigation, charges that stem from former special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
The Mo’Kelly show airs on KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles.
“I most certainly did not say the word described to me. It’s not consistent with my politics. It’s not a word that’s in common usage anymore, so no, absolutely not,” Stone told Local 10.
Stone said he has sent the tape out for forensic investigation. “I’ve been told that the tape has been altered,” he said.
KFI 640 AM recounts the conversation this way:
Mo’Kelly: “I do believe that certain people are treated differently in the federal justice system. I do absolutely believe that. But I also believe that your friendship and relationship and history with Donald Trump weighed more heavily than him just wanting to make sure that justice was done by a person in the justice system, that you were treated so unfairly. There are thousands of people treated unfairly daily. Hell, your number just happened to come up in the lottery. I’m guessing it was more than just luck, Roger, right?”
There’s a pause, then what sounds like Stone’s voice saying: “I don’t really feel like arguing with this negro.”
“I’m sorry, what was that?” Mo’Kelly asks. “Roger? I’m sorry, what did you say?”
(The particular exchange begins at 13 minutes in the audio below. Warning: Some listeners may find this offensive.)
The line remains open for several seconds and what sounds like to be an exasperated sigh on the other end as Mo'Kelly continues to try and reconnect with his guest. After several moments, Stone suddenly reappears.
"I hear that the line is not dead," Mo'Kelly says.
"Uhh, you're back," Stone says. "You there? Hello?"
Mo'Kelly tells Stone he heard him on the other end say something about a negro.
Stone immediately snaps back. "I did not. You're out of your mind. You're out of your mind."
“OK, well, we’ll let the listeners decide,” Mo’Kelly says. “Let me go to the next question then...”
“Whatever,” Stone replies.
Hey everyone. I heard what I heard. The audio is the audio. I will address in Hour 2. We're blowing out the second half of the show.#RogerStone
— Mr. Mo'Kelly 🎙️ (@MrMokelly) July 19, 2020
I am nobody's NEGRO.
Stone asserts that the audio is doctored. When Local 10 asked him if it was his voice, Stone says he heard a voice but that he never used the slur.
He should get the results of the forensic investigation back Monday.
Trump commuted Stone’s sentence on July 10 — just days before he was to report for detention. Stone celebrated the news that night with a group of supporters at his home in Fort Lauderdale.