Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and one of his regular guests, Kirsten Powers, got into a heated debate Tuesday over the state of race relations in America.
Powers, a liberal, finally became so exasperated she asked the conservative host how many black friends he has.
The debate started after O'Reilly delivered his opening "Talking Points Memo" monologue, arguing that racism in America is being overblown by the left and the mainstream media.
O'Reilly then asked Powers for rebuttal, which she was happy to give.
"I do think that racism is a serious issue in this country. I don't know why you are so unable to see that," Powers said.
O'Reilly said racism isn't endemic in America and exists only on the fringes.
"And every country on Earth has racist elements in it. Wouldn't you concede that?" O'Reilly said. "Every country on the planet has racist elements within it."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Powers asked.
"It has to do with you can't have a perfect world, Kirsten," O'Reilly said, arguing that although racism exists in America it isn't acceptable.
"You don't understand what is being sold is that we are, as a society, are racist: white supremacy, white privilege," he said. "If you don't get it you must be living in a hut somewhere with no electricity."
"I'm living in the real world where you can actually defend America and people don't attack you," Powers shot back. "I don't know what you are talking about. You are saying that you can't defend America without people attacking you? I do that all the time."
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O'Reilly then turned to conservative guest Monica Crowley, who agreed with O'Reilly that institutional racism is no longer codified in law. But, she said, the left wants to degrade America for its sin of slavery.
At that point, Powers, who was appearing by remote from Washington, could be heard making a noise in the background, and O'Reilly called her out.
"You are making a lot of noise which is rude to Monica," O'Reilly said. "You are snorting out there. I want you to knock it off."
Powers said she wasn't snorting, but gasping at Crowley's comments.
After much back-and-forth over the legacy of slavery and the gains made by civil rights laws, Powers asked O'Reilly, "How many black friends do you have, Bill?"
O'Reilly never answered directly, and Powers kept peppering him.
When O'Reilly finally ended the segment, he told Powers he was not mad at her and apologized if he mischaracterized her gasp as a snort.
The still-seething Powers tried to force a smile, but wasn't very successful. She forced out a barely audible, "OK" before the segment ended.