Banfield, who hosts "Crime & Justice" on HLN, said the woman, who identified herself with the pseudonym 'Grace', misused the #MeToo movement.
"By your own clear description, this wasn't a rape, nor was it a sexual assault. By your description, your sexual encounter was unpleasant," she said.
"I'm sorry you had a bad date ... but let's take a moment to reflect on what you claim was the 'worst night of your life.'"
The host then said that Grace had "chiseled away at a movement".
"The #MeToo movement has righted a lot of wrongs and it has made your career path much smoother ... what a gift. Yet, you looked that gift horse in the mouth and chiseled away at that powerful movement with your public accusation," Banfield said.
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Grace alleged Ansari called her a cab when she wanted to leave and he texted her the next day. When she told him that she had an unpleasant experience, he apologised that he "misread things".
A New York Times opinion piece by Bari Weiss has also termed the article in Babe.net as "arguably the worst thing that has happened to the #MeToo movement since it began in October".
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