During an interview with presidential candidate Kamala Harris, the TV host compared the power of executive privilege to virginity, a reference which was met with disapproval from the current California senator.

“I guess the question is once he’s testified before Mr. Mueller’s special counsel investigation, how can he now say I won’t make the same testimony in public claiming executive privilege. I think it is sort of like virginity, kinda,” Matthews began.

Despite Harris’ cringing face, he didn’t stop there, going on to explain the metaphor further.

“I understand that’s how executive privilege works,” he added. “Once you have given it up, you can’t grab it back. How do you see it?” 

Harris, whose face gave away her clear discomfort with the comparison, was quick to object to Matthew’s words, simply replying: “ I’m not gonna go with you on that metaphor, Chris.”

This isn’t the first time that Chris Matthews has caused controversy over his word choices: in a 2016 interview with Hillary Clinton, he came under fire for making a joke about slipping Clinton a ‘Bill Cosby pill’ before the interview had even started, during the height of the sexual assault allegations against the former TV star.

He has also faced criticism for another comment he made last week, in which he compared working under a tough campaign leader to slavery. 

Luckily, this time, Matthews wasn’t left uncorrected for long. A few minutes later, clearly following some sort of telling off by one of the MSNBC Hardball team in his earpiece, the host apologised.

“I’m sorry about that metaphor I used before,” he said, during a break in the conversation.

Matthews continued: “I’ve been admonished already about it. So I really shouldn’t have used it.”

The apology was met with a few awkward nods and a grin from Harris, who looked a bit bemused by the whole thing.

Fingers crossed that Matthews may have finally learnt his lesson. 

Images: Getty