MSNBC sure has gotten accustomed to apologizing, issuing yet another one via the network’s official Twitter account for an offensive tweet about a Cheerios commercial.
The network sent out a tweet Wednesday evening calling attention to a new Cheerios advertisement to be aired during Sunday’s Super Bowl. The ad, the cereal’s first ever to be played during the big game, brings back an interracial family featured in a past promotion. But in promoting Cheerios’ commercial, MSNBC suggested conservatives dislike biracial families.
The tweet sparked a firestorm from Republicans who, in response, showcased various interracial families, including 2012 Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s and Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.)
From our family to yours: Merry Christmas. cc: @AnnDRomney pic.twitter.com/DqbB6La6E1
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 24, 2013
MSNBC then deleted its tweet and issued an apology.
Earlier, this account tweeted an offensive line about the new Cheerios ad. We deeply regret it. It does not reflect the position of msnbc.
— msnbc (@msnbc) January 30, 2014
We are deleting the earlier offensive tweet. It does not reflect msnbc’s position and we apologize.
— msnbc (@msnbc) January 30, 2014
The network’s executive editor, Richard Wolffe, also commented on the post.
The Cheerios tweet from @msnbc was dumb, offensive and we’ve taken it down. That’s not who we are at msnbc.
— Richard Wolffe (@richardwolffedc) January 30, 2014
This is hardly the first time MSNBC has had to apologize for tasteless comments made. Former host Martin Bashir was forced to apologize to 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin in November after he suggested someone should defecate in her mouth. He later resigned from the network. Then, Melissa Harris-Perry issued a tearful apology to Romney and his family earlier this month for remarks she made about his adopted grandson, Kieran.
Watch Cheerios’ new ad, titled “Gracie,” below.
