Rick Sanchez Jon Stewart

Rick Sanchez Jon Stewart, CNN host Rick Sanchez was attacked Friday after making controversial comments the previous day on a satellite radio program.

Sanchez called Comedy Central host Jon Stewart as a “bigot” for making fun of him, and complained that Jews – and Stewart – are not facing discrimination. He also suggested that CNN, and perhaps the media industry more broadly, is run by elitists who despise Jews and Hispanics like him.

Clearly, these comments did not sit well with the network, which released a brief statement about 6 pm Friday.

“Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company,” read the statement from CNN. “We thank Rick for his years of service and wish him well.”

So far, Sanchez has not commented on the explosive interview Thursday on “Stand Up! With Pete Dominick.” In the radio show, the star of the now ex-CNN did not just make a statement only impolitic, but spoke at length – about 20 minutes – about Stewart and a world that believes that the media be filled with “Northeastern liberal elite” who are considered Hispanic journalists “second level”. Sanchez is a Cuban-American.

He specifically called Stewart as someone with “a white liberal establishment views” that “can not refer to a guy like me.” Additionally, Sanchez said Stewart is “upset that someone of my ilk is, almost, their level.”

Sanchez also has to address the controversy through Twitter, which is a frequent user. He even made the platform of social media part of the signature of his afternoon program, “Rick’s List.” Sanchez did not appear in the program at 3 pm on Friday, but the public relations department of CNN put the word that he would be at a book signing at the CNN Center in Atlanta. It is unclear whether he attended.

Sanchez joined CNN in 2004 after working as an anchor in Miami. Prior to that, Sanchez worked as a correspondent for MSNBC, providing updates of breaking news on CNBC, and other local stations.

CNN plans to air “CNN News” slot “Rick’s List” time, Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 pm