Reports: MSNBC Host Ed Schultz Took $250,000 From Unions

Liberal radio and MSNBC TV talk show host Ed Schultz, an ardent supporter of workers’ rights who frequently invites labor leaders onto his programs, was paid $252,000 by union groups between 2012 and 2013, reports said Thursday.

Citing Department of Labor Statistics, Politico and Truth Revolt reported Schultz – who proclaims himself as “America’s most listened-to Progressive radio talk show host” on his Twitter account – took in $177,000 from labor unions in 2012. This year, he raked in $75,000 from the AFL-CIO, the reports said.

Politico broke down the big money as coming from union groups including AFL-CIO electrical workers and postal workers – including $72,000 auto workers forked over in 2012. The Department of Labor figures also noted a $10,000 lump sum from a state, county and municipal workers union in Fargo, N.D., given in 2009.

Ed Schultz Broadcasting LLC was the recipient of all the money, Politico noted.

MSNBC spokeswoman Lauren Skowronski told Politico the money paid for advertisements on Schultz's radio show and website, and for speaking gigs.

She said all the speaking engagement money got donated to charity in accordance with company policy.

“Independent from MSNBC, Ed's radio show and website sell advertising to a variety of clients - both union and non-union," Skowronski told Politico.

"Also as previously noted, Ed has donated the honorarium from speaking engagements to charity, per network policy.”

The host, who talks up labor leaders on his TV and radio show, featured both Teamsters leader James Hoffa and Communications Workers of America president Larry Cohen on his MSNBC program this week.

Politico  and Newsbusters  have been on Schultz’s union money trail since last year, when they reported he was paid $199,900 by labor groups in 2011.

Then too, Schultz insisted the money was turned over to charity, Politico reported.

But Schultz turned his anti-conservative venom on Politico after it reported last March his move from a daily show to a weekend time slot amounted to his getting “pushed out” to make way for new talent – calling reporters at the political website “nothing but a bunch of freaking whores."

The show returned to a weekday schedule in August.

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