The Hill’s “Rising” witnessed an explosive moment when Amber Duke walked off set after being accused by Nomiki Konst of making Nazi remarks. Duke denied the allegations and defended her friend Ryan Gidursky. Gidursky was banned from CNN for comments made toward Mehdi Hasan.
Amber Duke’s Walkout
Amber Duke, co-host of The Hill’s “Rising,” departed the show after co-host Nomiki Konst accused her of making Nazi-related remarks. Duke, faced with these serious allegations during a discussion about former CNN contributor Ryan Gidursky, denied the claims strongly. The argument emerged during a larger debate, with Duke defending her past statements.
Amber Duke tweeted her rationale behind the decision to walk out, stating she could not continue sitting at a desk with someone making false accusations. Duke described the atmosphere as “incredibly toxic,” indicating that previous off-air interactions with Konst had been contentious. She had brought a rosary to the studio, knowing antagonism could arise, helping her maintain composure during the ordeal.
Amber Duke "EPICLY" destroys Nomiki Konst who clearly suffers from TDS while discussing Jake Tapper and JD Vance's fiery exchange. pic.twitter.com/lgSUtofhna
— Mark Kennedy (@RealMarkKennedy) October 28, 2024
Controversial Discussion
The heated exchange linked with the dismissal of Ryan Gidursky from CNN. Konst’s accusations against Duke arose while discussing a joke Gidursky made referencing alleged Israeli pager explosions against Hezbollah. The accusations Konst levied led Duke to leave abruptly, defending her reputation against what she viewed as unfounded claims.
Duke’s decision to stand up for herself sheds light on the ethical tensions inherent in live political broadcast environments, where personal confrontations can arise from discussing controversial and sensitive topics.
@ambermarieduke & @NomikiKonst FIRED UP Over Mehdi Hasan and Ryan Girdursky, link to full debate below pic.twitter.com/HlMYSkfoGj
— Rising (@RisingTheHill) October 29, 2024
Duke’s Integrity
Amber Duke emphasized her commitment to integrity during this incident, which she said stemmed from false accusations. She refuted the Nazi remarks strongly, highlighting the importance of standing by one’s professional and personal beliefs. Duke’s presence of a rosary suggested preparedness and a symbolic means to stay grounded amid speculation and confrontation. Repeated attempts to reach Rising and Konst for comment by The Daily Caller were unsuccessful.
“Rising is shorter than usual today because I chose not to continue sitting at a desk with someone who falsely accused me of ‘Nazi writings’ because they were losing an argument,” Duke, who previously worked as the Daily Caller’s White House Correspondent, tweeted Tuesday.
This incident underscores the volatile nature of live political commentary, where accusations and heated exchanges can lead to significant professional standoffs and demand unwavering dedication to personal values.
