‘ABC’ Host Lambasts Breitbart’s Milo Yiannopoulos: ‘You’re An Idiot’ For Leslie Jones Attack

Breitbart‘s Milo Yiannopoulos may have just gotten a taste of his own medicine — all while millions of viewers tuned in, according to an LGBTQ Nation News report.

With the advent of sites like Facebook and Twitter — and smartphones — people have developed a need to stay “connected” as part of a perpetual dialed-in revolution, if you will. Sharing and over-sharing in complete anonymity drawn up in lockstep as the population became more social. The byproduct was the antithesis of love and compassion — trolls.

Terry Moran, a host of ABC’s Nightline, sat down last week with Yiannopoulos, a tech editor at the conservative online magazine. Moran prefaced the introduction by pointing out that Yiannopoulos was a Donald Trump supporter, who vehemently believes his verbal assaults represents free speech and is altruistic in scope — a “noble cause” as the host pointed out.

The pair was addressing the emergence of online trolling, the spread of vitriol, misogyny, xenophobia — you name — to explore their place in society.

Yiannopoulos, a self-described troll, who is an openly gay Catholic, welcomed the interview — until the “you’re an idiot” comment surfaced. Moran pressed his guest about his inflammatory remarks about SNL cast member, Leslie Jones.

‘What Grade Are You In?!’: ABC Reporter Battles Milo Yiannopoulos Over Leslie Jones Attacks https://t.co/aJj5wpkDeF pic.twitter.com/qgv1yx6m3R

— Mediaite (@Mediaite) September 3, 2016

The outspoken Breitbart editor came under fire recently for an unprovoked attack against the Ghostbusters star whom he assailed for her appearance. Twitter issued Yiannopoulos a lifetime ban for his relentless harassment against the celebrated comedienne.

“If Leslie Jones were right here, would you say, ‘You look like a dude’?” Moran asked.

“Yeah, probably.” He also said the Saturday Night Live star was illiterate and playing the role of a victim.

“You would say that to her,” Moran said.

“I probably would,” Yiannopoulos maintained.

“Then you’re an idiot. You’re going to go after somebody’s body to go after their ideas, what grade are you in? Are you a 13-year-old?”

SEE IT: Breitbart troll Milo Yiannopoulos called a childish idiot by reporter on national TV https://t.co/pX6ySw8Hlq pic.twitter.com/KHuRDoZn9f

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) September 3, 2016

Yiannopoulos shot back and reinforced his belief that the “body positivity movement” is a mixed bag of messages. He suggested that it is ill-conceived and even dangerous to promote messages that advocate natural feelings over health. He says the “real” problem is centered on the “idea that you can tell women they’ll be happy and healthy at any size.” Yiannopoulos goes on to suggest that he is merely the messenger.

“My rudeness creates conversation, provokes people into saying oh what a monster and then 20 percent of people start talking about what I was actually saying I will consider my career to be a terrific success.”

Jones expressed her deep sadness in the immediate aftermath of the barrage of insults hurled at her from Yiannopoulos and a litany of his followers on Twitter. The funny woman took several days off from Twitter, saying “It’s just too much. It shouldn’t be like this. So hurt right now.” She eventually returned to waves of happy supporters.

Moran chided Yiannopoulos for not stepping in and stopping the rising tide of online aversion to Jones, a direct result of his targeted attacks and sexist stances, citing a Raw Story report.

“Does Justin Bieber have an obligation to his fans? I’m sorry for being popular. But I am not responsible for what 350,000 people on the Internet say. I’m responsible for what I say.”

Yiannopoulos didn’t appear phased by the “you’re an idiot” remark. Near the end of the exchange, he insisted that he believes he was merely doing the work of God.

“Trolling is very important. Trolling is absolutely essential. America needs more trolls because trolls are the only people that tell the truth these days,” he said.

Do you think freedom of speech implies that a person has the right to assail another by any means necessary? Was Twitter right to slap Milo Yiannopoulos with a lifelong ban? Share your comments below to start the conversation.

[Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images]