Steve Price clashes with Jamila Rizvi over election result0:30
Steve Price clashes with former Labor staffer Jamila Rizvi over US election result on The Project. Courtesy: Channel Ten
Thousands sign petition demanding The Project apologise to guest host Steve Price
STEVE Price has told viewers to “get on with it” after thousands of people signed a petition demanding The Project apologise over his treatment during a fiery debate about the presidential election.
On Monday morning, more than 19,000 signatures had been added to a change.org petition, which states that: “Steve was abruptly cut off and insulted”.
It follows his appearance on the Channel Ten show last Wednesday night during a heated exchange with guest panellist Jamila Rizvi, who is also a news.com.au columnist.
But on The Project tonight, Mr Price took a brief moment at the beginning of the show to confirm he “did not feel bullied”.
“Can I say something upfront,” Mr Price said.
“A lot of people have been outraged on my behalf today. Someone started a petition that I know nothing about, media have been reporting stories I have been somehow bullied on this show last Wednesday night, the election special.
“I don’t feel I was bullied at -- bullied at all. I’m a big boy, I can look after myself, let’s get on with the program.”
“It shows you that people in real America, in small town America, weren’t buying the bulldust coming out of the elites,” Price said of Hillary Clinton’s loss to Donald Trump.
“Sorry, can we cut this bull**** about the idea of there being a ‘real America’?” Rizvi hit back.
“I’m sorry, I was speaking before you interrupted,” Price replied tersely.
“Is it OK if I speak?”
After Rizvi pointed out the question was directed at her, he appeared to become more annoyed.
“This is the reason why Donald Trump won,” he said.
“Because people like you lecture and heckle people.”
The audience, along with the rest of the panel were visibly shocked, issuing a “whoa” before co-host Carrie Bickmore stepped in.
“Pricey, we were talking to Jamila and you don’t need to keep that tone,” she reprimanded him.
But many viewers have blasted The Project, claiming it was Price who was wronged.
It goes on to demand a live apology from The Project presenters involved to “recognise that what happened was unacceptable”.
“Whether you are on the left, right, or somewhere in between, nobody should experience what Steve experienced,” it reads.
Originally published as ‘I’m a big boy, I can look after myself’