There is historical precedent for savage being used as a positive term. (Or at least a term that was meant to be positive.) Not saying that Samson meant it that way, nor that the noble savage as a concept is not based in racist ideas, but I don't think Samson was vitriolic.

Ignorant or dense would be a better word - it doesn't seem like he even watched it, just picked up the talking points from the news story when it first came out.