Part 5/9:
Danning’s fatal comment—suggesting conservatives should spend less time playing the victim and more time contributing to society—echoed long after the segment ended. Within minutes, social media lit up, spreading the clip widely and igniting fierce reactions. The hashtag #FirePaulDanning began trending as the public became polarized in their responses.
As outrage mounted, sponsors began pulling out of "The Morning Current," leading the network into crisis mode. By mid-afternoon, major advertisers had suspended their partnerships, putting pressure on NBS news to act decisively. The network's leadership convened, deliberating on whether to defend Danning or mitigate potential fallout.