Geraldo Rivera ripped his former Fox News colleague Dan Bongino as a “provocateur,” but had only positives to say about him in leading the Secret Service amid reports President-elect Donald Trump wants him in the role.
Rivera joined CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Friday to discuss Trump’s various nominations and she eventually asked him about Bongino, someone she noted he frequently got into heated battles with on air at Fox. Bongino left Fox News in 2023 and Rivera left the same year after more than two decades with the network.
“You two sparred a lot on Fox and man am I being understated. How would you feel about him being Secret Service director?” Keilar asked.
A 2021 clash on Fox got so heated between Rivera and Bongino that Rivera literally turned his back on Bongino despite the fact that the two were remotely calling in. Bongino accused Rivera of “emotional games” and spreading “misinformation” while Rivera called Bongino a “punk” during their clash.
Rivera told Keilar he and Bongino would likely “square off” if they ran into each other today. He called his former colleague a “provocateur with his own set of facts.”
“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.
Rivera, 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.
Rivera added that despite his past with Bongino, he would have confidence his ex-sparring partner would keep him safe if he was on a security detail protecting Rivera.
“With Bongino, you know I would, let me put it this way, If I was a target and Bongino was on the job, I feel that Bongino would keep me safe,” he said. “He would do the job.”
Watch above via CNN.