During a changeover from one talk radio host to the next a Minneapolis-St. Paul duo agreed on the air that NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has been faking having AIDS. Johnson, who has been HIV-positive since 1991 has denounced the KTLK on-air personalities Chris Baker and Langdon Perry.
Transcript of the incident:
PERRY: What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?
BAKER: Like Magic Johnson.
PERRY: Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS.
BAKER: You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?
PERRY: I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS.
BAKER: Yeah, me too.
PERRY: It falls apart --
BAKER: Which is horrible.
PERRY: I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure he faked AIDS.
PERRY: 'Cause he's the only cured AIDS guy ever.
Magic Johnson's Statement:
I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis. I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue. Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS, and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable. Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies.
KTLK's Chris Baker's statement:
(this is) not news. ... With everything going on right now, that someone would focus on something so stupid; three seconds of radio out of a four-second show."
KTLK Programming Director Steve Versnick's statement:
(crickets)
KTLK Owner Clear Channel Communications' statement:
(crickets)
In a slightly unrelated matter, last week Chris Baker made this statement on KTLK regarding the homeless:
I don't believe they should be allowed to vote ... they're nuts.
During that same broadcast last week, Baker said this regarding women:
I'm not that excited about women voting, to be honest. I wish there was a little more care taken in who should be allowed to vote.
UPDATE
Here's the audio clip (h/t Media Matters)