Gayle King, who received death threats after her interview with Lisa Leslie on Kobe Bryant’s legacy after the NBA superstar’s death, will be one of the moderators in next Tuesday’s 10th Democratic presidential debate.
King, who co-hosts “CBS This Morning,” will join “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell as moderators. CBS News is co-hosting the debate with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Charleston, S.C., only a few days before the critical South Carolina primary on Saturday, Feb. 29.
King interviewed Leslie, a retired WNBA star, after Bryant's death in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash, and broached the subject of a sexual assault charge that Bryant once faced. Social media backlash against King ensued, led by rapper Snoop Dogg.
The rapper, who has since apologized, had joined with others, including 50 Cent and Bill Cosby, in criticizing King for asking Leslie whether Bryant’s legacy had been complicated by the accusation that he raped a woman at a Colorado resort in 2003. Bryant said the two had consensual sex, but he later apologized for his behavior and settled a civil suit against him.
»MORE: 'I'd be extremely angry at me, too': Gayle King responds to criticism over Kobe Bryant rape charge
In a profane video posted on Instagram and shared on other social media platforms, Snoop Dogg criticized King for attacking “your people.” He told her to “back off ... before we come get you.”
King’s questions had attracted little notice as part of a wide-ranging interview shown on “CBS This Morning.” But then CBS — mistakenly, it said later — posted a video online that focused strictly on the discussion about the assault case.
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“We fully support Gayle King and her integrity as a journalist,” CBS News President Susan Zirinsky told The Associated Press. “We find the threats against her or any journalist doing their job reprehensible.”
»MORE: Snoop Dog apologizes to Gayle King
CBS would not discuss the nature of any private threats against King. Her friend, Oprah Winfrey, said in an NBC interview that King had received death threats and was traveling with security.
“The interview with Lisa Leslie was comprehensive and thoughtful,” Zirinsky said. “We are a country where differences of opinion are welcome, but hateful and dangerous threats are completely unacceptable.”
Questioning the Democratic candidates will be "Face the Nation" moderator and senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan, chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett and “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker.
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The format for the debate — as well as the candidates who have qualified so far — has not been announced by CBS or the Democratic Party.
On Wednesday, Michael Bloomberg was the target of the other candidates in the Las Vegas Democratic debate.
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