NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Fox News host Bill O’Reilly apologized Tuesday after coming under fire for mocking a Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ hair.
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” O’Reilly reacted to a clip of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) delivering a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.
“I didn’t hear a word she said,” O’Reilly said of Waters. “I was looking at the James Brown wig.”
“If we have a picture of James Brown — it’s the same wig,” he added.
The remarks were widely denounced as both racist and sexist on Twitter, where O’Reilly’s name was trending Tuesday morning and afternoon.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, O’Reilly expressed regret for the remarks.
“As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs,” he said. “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.”
The top rated host on cable news, O’Reilly actually drew some pushback before he even left the “Fox & Friends” set.
While one of the program’s male co-hosts, Brian Kilmeade, laughed heartily at O’Reilly’s comment, the lone female host — Ainsley Earhardt — stepped in to back Waters.
“I have to defend her on that,” Earhardt said. “You can’t go after a woman’s looks. I think she’s very attractive.”
“I didn’t say she wasn’t attractive,” O’Reilly said. “I love James Brown. But it’s the same hair!”
