NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: 'CBS Mornings' host Gayle King has recently taken a dig at her co-host Tony Dukoupil. Gayle made a playful mention of Dukoupil's absence while noting that he took off on the Juneteenth holiday celebrating the emancipation of slaves.
However, Gayle also noted that all of the Black anchors, including herself, Nate Burleson and Vladimir Duthiers, were working on the federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans but only the White host took off Juneteenth. Celebrations of Juneteenth date back to the 19th century, but only in 2021, Congress made it a federal holiday.
Gayle King teases Tony Dukoupil for his Monday absence on 'CBS Mornings'
Gayle recently took a tool at her co-host Dukoupil as he wasn't at the table during the Juneteenth holiday. The CBS host said, "Is it lost on anybody that the only white guy at the table is off today to celebrate Juneteenth, and we are still here." She further quipped, "Glad to be here. I hope Tony is celebrating his Juneteenth holiday! Welcome to CBS Mornings!" However Burleson and Duthiers burst out laughing. Seemingly aware that it may look like they are frustrated by their co-anchor absence, Burleson quickly noted, 'Tony, we love you.' Gayle replied, "We do."
'Gayle said what every black person at work is thinking'
Social media users chimed in to back Gayle. A user commented, "She said y’all wanna be funny… well I can be hilarious chile." Another user said, "She was laughing bout it but dead serious at the same time ??." Another viewer noted, "She’s been thinking about saying this since she saw the schedule for this week?." Another person added, "Gayle said what every black person at work is thinking and I ain’t mad ?." Another fan added, "Not her saying what they ALL was thinking?." Another follower wrote, "She woke up and chose violence ?." Another viewer quipped, "Gayle is untouchable ?."
Is Juneteenth considered a public holiday?
Americans have been celebrating Juneteenth this weekend. This year marked the third year since the holiday was given federal status by President Biden. Juneteenth was first recognized as a 'federal holiday' in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed it into law. The date commemorates the fall of slavery in Galveston, Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863 to free enslaved Black people held in the Confederacy.
However, it has always been a point of debate whether Juneteenth is a public holiday or not. The governors of West Virginia and Alabama have authorized Juneteenth as a state holiday through proclamation, but it will not be considered a permanent holiday unless state legislatures pass bills into law. Meanwhile, California allows state employees to take off on Juneteenth in lieu of receiving a personal holiday. However, in Pennsylvania, employees under the governor's jurisdiction can take a paid day off, and in North Carolina, employees can take a floating holiday on a day of 'cultural, religious or personal significance.'
