Controversy erupts after Hannity guest tells woman panelist ‘Know your role and shut your mouth’

The ugly scene unfolded Thursday evening. On Friday morning, Fox’s “America’s Newsroom” dedicated a segment to the run-in, with anchor Martha MacCallum asking, “Is this what we’ve come to? Is this a civil society?”

Thursday’s discussion centered around Attorney General Eric Holder (no relation to Tamara Holder), and a petition to oust him from office over allegations that he lied under oath before Congress. Cunningham, who hosts “The Bill Cunningham Show,” jabbed his finger into Tamara Holder’s face, shouting that she must sign the petition.

“I really hope that when you speak to a judge, you don’t point your finger in their face the entire time,” replied Holder. “Your finger does not prove your point,” she said, pointing back at Cunningham, who apparently found this extremely provoking.

“Whose finger’s in my face right now?” he protested.

“Mine, because I’m telling you to shut up,” said Holder.

“Wait a minute, you shut up,” Cunningham sniped. “Know your role and shut your mouth.”

“My role as a woman?” asked Holder.

“Yeah, yeah,” said Cunningham.

Particularly appalling was a moment later in the segment when Holder simply stopped talking and hung her head in frustration.

“What, are you going to cry?” Cunningham needled.