October 6, 2009 12:00

Glenn Beck admits lying over Muse retraction plea

Fox News presenter says the band didn't contact him asking to stop praising them

Photo Gallery: Muse
Photo: Andy Willsher

Fox News presenter Glenn Beck's declaration that Muse had asked him to stop praising the band was entirely false, it has been revealed.

As previously reported, Beck had praised the band on Twitter and during his radio programme in September, before telling listeners that the band's representatives had been in touch with him asking if he would "retract my endorsement".

Beck, who is known for his strong conservative views, is still under fire after he called President Obama "a racist" in July.

Speaking about the presenter's comments about Muse, Christopher Balfe, the president and COO of Beck's company Mercury Radio Arts, admitted that the whole thing had been a ruse, reports MTV.

"After raving about Muse for four minutes, Glenn made a joke about their representatives emailing him to stop," Balfe said. "While it is entirely possible that Muse does not like having Glenn as a fan, he was making a joke and their representatives never reached out to him."

Despite Beck suggesting on several occasions that he believes Muse share his strong libertarian views on western power, the band's spokesperson said they would be making no comment about the issue.