TV host Greg Gutfeld was accused of making an ’embarrassing’ comparison between Donald Trump and Nelson Mandela following the president-elect’s ‘hush money’ case sentencing.
The journalist appeared on Fox to discuss Trump’s unconditional discharge for the 34 felony counts of falsifying business records he was convicted of following his trial in May.
The sentence means that the incoming president will avoid jail time, hefty fines, and probation.
‘Trump’s a convicted felon, just like Nelson Mandela,’ Gutfeld said. ‘Bill Gates, Justin Bieber, Martha Stewart.’
However, viewers were quick to point out that Gutfeld was wrong about Bieber and Gates’ conviction.
While the ‘Sorry’ hitmaker has had many run-ins with the law, none have resulted in felony convictions.
Similarly Microsoft billionaire Gates has admitted to being arrested for driving offences in his youth, but they were minor incidents.
Gutfeld was widely mocked on social media for his comparison, with many pointing out that while Trump walked free, Mandela spent 27 years in prison.
TV host Greg Gutfeld was accused of making an ’embarrassing’ comparison between Donald Trump and Nelson Mandela as he reacted to the president-elect’s ‘hush money’ case sentencing
Trump has walked away with an unconditional discharge for the 34 felony counts of falsifying business records he was convicted of following his trial in May
‘Like Nelson Mandela. Wow. That is a ludicrous comparison,’ one person wrote on X.
‘Embarrassing comparison,’ another agreed.
‘Mandela spent 27 years in prison. Send Trump to prison, then you can make that comparison, although it still wouldn’t be true,’ one person said.
‘Mandela fought for freedom under an oppressive regime; Trump faces charges for self-serving crimes,’ another added. ‘Comparing the two is absurd, but they’ll say anything to defend their cult leader.’
Mandela was arrested and imprisoned in 1962 amid his campaign work to try and dismantle the racist apartheid state in South Africa.
He was charged with having organized an illegal strike and with leaving the country without valid travel documents.
Mandela took the trip to try and shore up support for his resistance cause.Â
Gutfeld’s Gates comment did not entirely slip by Fox’s hosts either who asked him to elaborate.
Gutfled also falsely claimed that Bill Gates and Justin Bieber are convicted felonsÂ
While Bieber has had several brushes with the law, none of the incidents have resulted in a felony conviction
Bill Gates was arrested for driving offences in his youth but they were minor incidents
‘Driving without a license in the seventies, he was arrested twice,’ Gutfeld answered.
Gates has previously told how he was pulled over in New Mexico in 1977 for driving without a license.
‘They pulled me over, and I didn’t have my license, and they put me in with all the drunks all night long,’ he said.Â
However, his comments about Bieber went unchallenged, even though they were also inaccurate.
The Canadian singer has a misdemeanor conviction for vandalism after he egged his neighbor’s home.
He was on probation for the offense when he pleaded guilty to careless driving and resisting arrest without violence following an incident in Florida.
He was also convicted of assault in a Toronto court in 2015.Â
