As we previously reported, Geraldo Rivera breathed new life into his longstanding feud with Dan Bongino recently.
On air with CNN, Geraldo was asked about the push for Bongino to take the reins of the Secret Service under President Trump.
Surprisingly, he ultimately gave a solid thumbs up to that potential move in terms of Bongino’s capabilities, credibility, and patriotism.
But in keeping with his personal conflict with Bongino dating back to the days when both were regularly sitting opposite each other on Fox News, Geraldo had to include some decidedly combative comments.
The 81 year old Geraldo said in no uncertain terms that if he were sitting in a bar and Bongino walked in, they would probably “square off”.
Here’s that clip incase you missed it, and our initial story on his comments.
Geraldo Rivera says he would “square off” with Dan Bongino if he came across him in a bar, but doesn’t question his credibility, character or love of the Secret Service.
“If I was a target and Bongino was on the job, I feel that Bongino would keep me safe.” pic.twitter.com/45DEZn0nw4
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) November 22, 2024
Today, the story took a turn. As Geraldo was sitting in a bar...
No, just joking -- I can only dream of the story I would write around the footage from that imaginary event!
What actually happened was what usually happens. First, Geraldo's comments went viral...
Geraldo says he's "square off" with Dan Bongino if he ran into him in a bar...
I'd pay to see that. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/qayP1oOyQ3
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) November 24, 2024
Geraldo Rivera says he would "square off" with Dan Bongino if he came across him in a bar, but doesn't question his credibility, character or love of the Secret Service.
"If I was a target and Bongino was on the job, I feel that Bongino would keep me safe." pic.twitter.com/45DEZn0nw4
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) November 22, 2024
And then... the other party took to social media, and struck back.
Luckily, the altercation didn't happen in a bar. Because Bongino verbally smoked Geraldo with indisputable facts by simply posting the old-school "tale of the tape".
The tale of the tape is a little rough on Geraldo.
Rivera: 81 years old, 5ft 9in, 160 lbs
Bongino: 49 years old, 6ft, 200 lbs https://t.co/VVMx6PVRYz— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) November 24, 2024
The tale of the tape is a little rough on Geraldo.
Rivera: 81 years old, 5ft 9in, 160 lbs
Bongino: 49 years old, 6ft, 200 lbs- Dan Bongino
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My initial reaction to Geraldo's fighting words was an instant craving for a high-profile octagon fight.
Picture it -- Joe Rogan with the play by play, President Trump ringside wearing the iconic "dark MAGA" hat, and Geraldo "squaring up" against Bongino.
But once I saw Bongino's statistic-filled response...
No, I really don't want to see that. Talk about a "bloodbath". (See what I did right there?)
I'm not sure Geraldo really envisioned what it might be like to actually go toe-to-toe with Bongino when he said, according to a story in Mediaite, that he would square up on him!
“I can’t imagine anyone who I feel more fiercely combative with than Dan Bongino. If he were to walk into a bar and I was having a beer, we’d probably square off. We disagree on everything. I think he has his own set of facts. I think he’s a provocateur,” Rivera said.
The veteran Fox News host did offer some praise for Bongino in the role of heading the Secret Service. Bongino served in the Secret Service for more than a decade.
ADVERTISEMENTRivera, a former friend of Trump’s, said he felt the same about Fox & Friends Weekend host Pete Hegseth. The combat veteran was nominated by Trump to serve as Defense Secretary. Rivera argued that despite differences with both men, he respects their service and patriotism.
“I go back to what I said about Maj. Pete. I have no issue at all with his honesty, his credibility, his character, his patriotism, his love of the Secret Service. I think all those things are positive for Bongino,” he said.
Besides the 32 year age difference, I'm concerned that "whatever energy" Geraldo had left, he completely spent in his attempt to prevent President Trump from being reelected.
July, 2023. Geraldo Rivera says that he has vowed to use whatever energy he has left to prevent Trump from becoming President again.
Nice effort!🤣 pic.twitter.com/RCccPp3508
— MAZE (@mazemoore) November 17, 2024
Of course, there could always be the possibility that maybe Geraldo is just about that life?
But the reception on social media to the potential bout isn't exactly weighing in heavily in Geraldo's corner. (They call me "Big Pun". I'll see myself out.)
What's he gonna do, show you his Weiner? 😂😂🤣💀 pic.twitter.com/mYCFxLnh72
— OracleofTheMatrix (@Oracle_ofMatrix) November 24, 2024
And as one X user pointed out, that picture earlier from Geraldo's younger days came from a fight with a chair.
And... he lost that fight.
Reminder: Geraldo lost a fight to a chair.
We'd PAY to See That! Geraldo Rivera BRAGS That He'd 'Square Off' with Dan Bongino if They Met and HOOBOY https://t.co/HaUuCSzuhI
— The🐰FOO (@PolitiBunny) November 24, 2024
I welcome Geraldo's momentary lapse into sanity, recognizing Dan Bongino as a great choice to head up the embattled Secret Service.
But I'm not sure that 81 year old media pundits should make a habit of challenging former Secret Service agents to bar fights.
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