Sarah Palin Cancels Today Appearance Over Martin Bashir's Comments

Sarah Palin has canceled an appearance on the Todayshow after Martin Bashir slammed her on his MSNBC show, Fox News reports.

Today's Matt Lauer was slated to travel to Palin's hometown of Wasilla, Alaska for an interview to promote her new book, but Palin is reportedly angry over comments Bashir made Friday. On his show, Bashir called for the former vice presidential candidate, whom he labeled a "world-class idiot," to be urinated and defecated on — punishments Bashir says masters bestowed upon their slaves back in the 1700s. His heated remarks were in response to a speech Palin gave on Nov. 9 in which she compared the federal deficit to slavery.

Fox News is "parting ways" with Sarah Palin

Bashir apologized for his remarks on Monday. "Last Friday on this broadcast I made some comments which were deeply offensive and directed at Governor Sarah Palin," Bashir said. "I wanted to take this opportunity to say sorry to Mrs. Palin, and to also offer an unreserved apology to her friends and family, her supporters, our viewers, and anyone who may have heard what I said. My words were wholly unacceptable. They were neither accurate, nor fair. They were unworthy of anyone who would claim to have an interest in politics, and they have brought shame upon my friends and colleagues at this network, none of whom were responsible for the things that I said."

Palin most recently appeared on the Today show on Nov. 11.