I can just imagine the Fox News poutrage if an MSNBC host fawned over a foreign politician as he smeared George W. Bush in favor of Russia’s Vladimir Putin or any other world leader. But that’s exactly what Fox host Trish Regan did in response to Brexit champion Nigel Farage's smear of Obama.

Regan didn’t just blatantly suck up to Farage, she failed to mention what ought to have been some key concerns about him: his racism and his dissembling.

From Vox:

“There is an especial problem with some of the people who’ve come here and who are of the Muslim religion who don’t want to become part of our culture,” Farage said in a 2015 interview. “People do see a fifth column living within our country, who hate us and want to kill us.”

Furthermore, no sooner had the Brexit referendum passed than Farage announced that one of its signature campaign promises was a “mistake.”

Regan had another reason to be skeptical of Farage’s veracity. He announced on the air, “The idea that Brexit is causing stock market losses is rubbish.”

This, as “BREXIT SELLOFF” appeared in yellow letters on the lower right of the screen, showing the Dow down nearly 300 points.

Regan thought she ought to challenge that last claim as she noted that “a lot of the British banks getting hit hard by this.” She cited Barclays bank as an example.

“It served them right for taking the positions that they did,” Farage replied.

He also noted that before entering politics he had “a proper job” as a commodities trader.

“That’s right,” Regan giggled. “So you know this stuff!”

Later, Farage shrugged off any potential aggression from Putin – because he’s more statesmanlike than Obama.

REGAN: People are saying, you know, “Putin’s doing a dance right now. He’s thrilled! He wants the Europeans to be less powerful and he sees this as making them less powerful.” Your response to that, Nigel.

FARAGE: Well, ultimately, let me say this: Vladimir Putin behaved in a more statesmanlike manner than President Obama did in this referendum campaign. …Obama came to Britain and I think behaved disgracefully, telling us we’d be at the back of the queue… Treating us – America’s strongest, oldest ally in this most extraordinary way! Vladimir Putin maintained his silence throughout this whole campaign.

I’m not a fan of Vladimir Putin but you know, the Ukrainian crisis, actually was sparked by the European Union, saying they wanted to extend their borders to take in the Ukraine which Putin took as being a direct threat.

He never explained how he thought the U.K. should deal with an emboldened Russia, other than to say his view is, “Don’t poke the Russian bear with a stick. If you do, you’re bound to get a response.”

Regan didn’t press, of course. Instead, she started up a regular Fox News propaganda tactic: Citing some unknown person as a vehicle for outsourcing a favored opinion:

REGAN: One commentator made the point to me today that he thought [Brexit] was good, that we historically have had a great relationship with you guys and that we actually may have a better one because you’re more potentially with us as opposed to, say, Europe.

Then, in case anyone missed her pro-Brexit stance, Regan gushed at the end of the interview, “Kind of an independence day for you guys!”

Crossposted at Newshounds.us