Karl Stefanovic has been savagely mocked online after breaking down in tears during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan—all while relaxing aboard a luxury superyacht in the Mediterranean.
The 51-year-old television veteran choked back tears on the latest episode of his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, as he discussed his dramatic exit from Channel Nine after two decades with the network.
However, the gravity of Stefanovic’s emotional display was heavily undermined by the setting: the interview was filmed aboard the Taiba, a 56-metre Italian superyacht complete with a swimming pool and cinema, which costs a staggering $500,000 a week to charter.
Sitting under the French sun with a deep tan, Stefanovic struggled to speak as Morgan questioned him on the fallout from his high-profile Today show departure. His exit followed severe backlash over an interview he conducted with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
“For me to hear her upset, it was the hardest thing,” Stefanovic said, fighting back tears as he spoke about the toll the scandal has taken on his wife, Jasmine.
Viewers were profoundly unimpressed by the display, taking to social media to roast the wealthy presenter for playing the victim from a floating palace.
“Devastating… But thankfully he’s making himself feel better by sailing around Europe,” one person sniped.
“Stop your crying Stefanovic, it’s called ‘choices’. You are already an incredibly wealthy man… Own it,” another added.
A third chimed in: “It’s okay Karl, I’m sure you will be able to survive on the millions of dollars you have.“
Financially, Stefanovic is well-insulated from the fallout, boasting a property empire worth more than $20 million alongside a string of lucrative assets.
During the chat, the embattled host also admitted he is terrified of permanently damaging his relationship with ordinary Australians.
“I walk into a pub and every time someone yells out, ‘F***ing Karlos! Get a beer up ya!’ That bond for me, with real Australian people, is something that I don’t take for granted,” he said. “I just don’t want to lose that.”
Piers Morgan defended the axed host, encouraging him to stand up to “woke wastrels” and “mob rule,” adding that platforming Robinson was “absolutely appropriate.”
The public roasting comes at a brutal time for Stefanovic. Just days after losing his plum Channel Nine role, his latest media venture fell apart after radio giant ARN abruptly dropped The Long Weekend, the show he co-hosted alongside Eddie McGuire.
