John Oliver criticises Fox News over their coverage of pipe bombings

'It has been a time for sober reflection. Or, if you are Fox News, a time for wild speculation'

John Oliver has criticised Fox News over their coverage of the pipe bombs sent to various senior Democrats and prominent critics of Donald Trump.

After opening Last Week Tonight with an image of Megyn Kelly – who has recently been fired from NBC News following controversial blackface comments – along with the words “Trickus Treatem,” Oliver began by acknowledging the horrific attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue that has left at least 11 Jewish people dead over the weekend.

Oliver continued with the planned segment on the bombs that have recently been sent to various Democrats, including Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and presumed 2020 Presidential candidate Eric Holder.

“It has been a time for sober reflection,” Oliver said (via Deadline). “Or, if you are Fox News, discussing those package bombs, a time for wild speculation.... Before the suspect was even arrested, they were giving air time to a truly ludicrous theory.”

The host then played footage of Fox News hosts and guests calling the pipe bombs fake news, with Geraldo Rivera saying: “At the risk sounding like far right-wing lunatic, I believe this whole thing was an elaborate hoax.”

“Here is the thing about that,” Oliver commented, ”sounding like a far right-wing lunatic is not really a risk for the Fox News brand is it? It’s more of a guarantee. It would be like if Tony Bennett started every song with ‘At the risk of making your grandma wet.’ What are you talking about Tony? We all know that’s going to happen. It’s specifically what you’re here to do!”

After Cesar Sayoc Jr was arrested and connected to the bombing, Rivera apologised in a Tweet, writing: “Never mind; outsmarted myself, in conjuring false flag operation designed to hurt Donald Trump.”

Oliver slyly added: “Can I just say ‘outsmarted myself’ is a brilliant way to say that you did something incredibly stupid?” Watch a clip from the show above.

United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced over the weekend that Sayoc Jr has been charged with five federal crimes. The federal felony charges include interstate transportation of explosives, illegal mailing of explosives and threats against a former president among others.