Backlash Grows After News Host Mocks Mother Who Died in ICE Custody

Mocking a dead mother’s pronouns on live TV, a Fox News host ignited a firestorm of outrage that now threatens to engulf his network.

Within hours of Renee Nicole Good’s fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Fox News host Jesse Watters used his prime-time platform to mock the 33-year-old mother, deriding her as a “self‑proclaimed poet from Colorado with pronouns in her bio” and highlighting her lesbian partner and child in ways critics say dehumanized her.

His segment framed Good as a “disruptor” and “legal observer,” language that, according to advocates, reduced a woman killed in government custody to a caricature rather than acknowledging her humanity and the gravity of her death.

The broadcast ignited an immediate backlash. Viewers, activists, and public figures flooded social media, calling Watters “heartless,” a “psychopath,” and “scum.” Comedian Patton Oswalt and journalist Mehdi Hasan publicly condemned the segment, arguing that his mockery exemplified a broader collapse in media ethics and compassion when covering those harmed by state violence.

Critics stressed that responsible victim portrayal is especially vital when the dead can no longer speak for themselves. They noted that emphasizing Good’s pronouns and sexual orientation as punchlines didn’t inform the public; it signaled whose lives are treated as expendable.

For many, the segment turned a mother’s killing into an opportunity for ideological score‑settling rather than accountability.

Outlets including The Daily Beast documented and criticized Watters’ remarks, and reporters sought comment from Fox News as calls grew for the network to reckon with its role in shaping public attitudes toward people in ICE custody.

Commentators contrasted Watters’ sneering tone with more sympathetic media coverage in other recent killings, arguing that this double standard reveals whose grief is validated and whose is mocked.

For Good’s family, friends, and community, the demand is simple: coverage that recognizes her as a full human being, not a tool for entertainment or political derision.

Profile Author / Editor / Publisher

Dora Saparow: Dora Kay Saparow came out in a conservative Nebraskan town where she faced both misunderstanding and acceptance during her transition. Seeking specialized support, she moved to a big city, where she could access the medical, legal, and social resources necessary for her journey. Now, twelve years later, Dora is fully transitioned, happily married, and well-integrated into society. Her story underscores the importance of time, resources, and community support, offering hope and encouragement to others pursuing their authentic selves.