Radio host out after telling landscapers to speak English in video
A conservative talk radio host in New Hampshire is out of a job after posting video of herself telling Spanish-speaking landscapers to speak English, because “it is America,” video shows.
The footage, which was posted last week by Dianna Ploss on Facebook but has since been removed, shows the now-former WSMN host berating a crew of landscaping workers in Nashua while asking for the name of the company that employed them.
“It is America, you should be speaking English,” Ploss said. “You should be speaking English.”
Ploss then asked if any of the workers were “illegal” and asked for the name of the company they worked for, video shows.
“So your tax dollars up here in New Hampshire, that’s what’s going on here,” Ploss continues. “That’s what going on here. That’s what’s going on here … This communism, this is communism. Look at this. They’re taking over these streets. What they’re doing up here in Nashua is permanent. Permanent.”
A foreman then approaches Ploss to ask why she was harassing the workers, but she insisted he had a “right” to do so, video shows.
In a statement posted on its website, WSMN said Ploss was “no longer associated” with the station or Bartis-Russell Broadcasting.
“We at WSMN value freedom of speech, freedom of expression and assembly,” the statement reads. “We will not tolerate discrimination, racism or hatred. We continue to present and offer on air opportunities for discussion, education and the exchange of opinions and ideas.”
The footage from Friday prompted more than 13,000 people in a Change.org petition to call for Ploss’ ouster for her encounter with the workers from Morin’s Landscaping in Hollis.
“She in no way represents this city, which needs MORE diversity, inclusion and appreciation for cultural history and differences — not less,” the petition reads. “We are asking WSMN Radio to do the right thing, suspend her radio program, and stop giving her a platform to spread hate, ignorance, and racist rhetoric.”
Ploss, for her part, responded to the controversy in a lengthy Facebook Live statement Monday showing her alongside a cardboard cutout of President Trump while accusing Republicans and “leftists” of trying to destroy America.
“You have seen what they have done to me,” Ploss said. “And you know what, fellas? I take it and I wear it as a badge of honor.”
Ploss had her own show on WSMN 1590 on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, Boston.com reports. But the vocal Trump supporter was never an employee there, the station’s owner and operator told the Boston Globe.
“She is a client as we only broker our air time,” WSMN’s George Russell told the newspaper. “I have plenty lined up to fill that air space.”