Author and conservative talking head Bill O’Reilly began to trend Tuesday (March 28) for reasons no one should be trending on Twitter. During a segment of Fox & Friends, a clip of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif) speaking out against attacks committed by Trump supporters played. When asked his thoughts on her speech, 67-year-old O’Reilly made a statement that was both racist and sexist.
“I didn’t hear a word she said, I was looking at the James Brown wig,” O’ Reilly said with a laugh. “Do we have a picture of James Brown? It’s the same wig.”
Co-host Brian Kilmeade laughed along with O’Reilly and made a “joke” about the late soul singer. “He’s not using it anymore,” he said. “They just ? they finally buried him.” Another co-host Ashley Earhardt, attempted to defend Waters by reminding the men not to attack a woman’s looks, and she insisted the congresswoman is “very attractive.” It was at this point O’Reilly doubled down on his original comments.
“I didn’t say she wasn’t attractive. I love James Brown but it’s the same hair James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, had … whatever it is, I just couldn’t get by it.”
This attack on Congresswoman Maxine Waters from Bill O’Reilly is openly racist (via @mmfa) pic.twitter.com/BHy77FzfOl
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 28, 2017
It didn’t take long for Twitter to erupt with overall disgust over O’Reilly’s comments.
I see mediocre white men still think they can come for accomplished black women.
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) March 28, 2017
How about firing Bill O’Reilly because his show’s lame.
— Anthony Bialy (@AnthonyBialy) March 28, 2017
Following criticism, O’Reilly issued an apology.
“As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs. I said that again today on Fox & Friends calling her old school. Unfortunately, I also made a jest about her hair which was dumb. I apologize,” O’Reilly said.
So what say you? Do you think O’Reilly is truly sorry, or are his original comments how he really feels? Sound off in the comments.