Insurance Execs Quit Talk After Fox News’ Jesse Watters Challenges Kamala Harris Gender: Report

A number of insurance industry executives walked out of a major conference talk earlier this year when speaker Fox News host Jesse Watters made an ugly crack challenging the gender of Vice President Kamala Harris, CNN Business reported Thursday.

Watters, whom Fox recently picked to replace fired host Tucker Carlson in his 8 p.m. timeslot, made a "crude comment questioning" the vice president's gender, according to CNN, which did not provide details.

While some sniggered, other executives attending the Big “I” Legislative Conference — an annual event hosted by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America — walked out, noted the network.

A number of them had planned to later attend a diversity and inclusion luncheon at the conference.

Watters' crack at the April gathering triggered an "epic meltdown afterward," sources told CNN Business.

Retiring industry group head Bob Rusbuldt apologized at the luncheon for Watters' jab, but it was not enough to quell the controversy, CNN reported. Rusbuldt had been on stage with Watters during a question-and-answer session that was the feature of the Fox host's appearance.

Board Chair of the Independent Insurance Agents of America John Costello said in a statement that the "interview session conducted at our event does not reflect the culture and values of the Big I."

A Fox News spokesperson told CNN Business Wednesday that Watters has “no recollection” of the events.

The spokesperson insisted Watters' appearance was “well received with executives thanking him profusely afterward."

Watters apparently did recall that he was "told it was one of the best talks they’ve ever held," the Fox representative added.