President Trump called out MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski after she was slammed with heavy criticism following her use of a what some characterized as a homophobic phrase to describe Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s response to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
“If it was a Conservative that said what ‘crazed’ Mika Brzezinski stated on her show yesterday, using a certain horrible term, that person would be banned permanently from television…” Trump tweeted.
If it was a Conservative that said what “crazed” Mika Brzezinski stated on her show yesterday, using a certain horrible term, that person would be banned permanently from television….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2018
When discussing what she characterized as an uninspired response from Pompeo to the killing of Khashoggi, Brzezinski on Wednesday asked: “Of the pathetic deflections that we just heard when he appeared on ‘Fox and Friends,’ was that a patriot speaking? Or a wannabe dictator’s butt boy? And I’m dead serious. I’m asking: Are these the words of a patriot?”
Brzezinski later issued an apology on Twitter for using the phrase “butt boy.”
“Totally agree with you -SUPER BAD choice of words. I should have said “water boy” . . . like for football teams or something like that. apologize to @SenatorDurbin too! SO SORRY!”
Totally agree with you -SUPER BAD choice of words .. I should have said “water boy”… like for football teams or something like that.. apologize to @SenatorDurbin too! SO SORRY! https://t.co/zIqsGdK3Tk
— Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) December 12, 2018
The co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Brzezinski’s apology didn’t go over well with some, including current U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell.
“Accepting apologies is important. We all fail. But I don’t see that you’ve actually apologized to gays?” Grenell said. “Your words demean, mock and therefore try to control whole groups by minimizing our humanity.”
accepting apologies is important. We all fail. But I don’t see that you’ve actually apologized to gays? Your words demean, mock and therefore try to control whole groups by minimizing our humanity. @morningmika https://t.co/whNqjHYjfn
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) December 12, 2018
Previously a national security spokesman for Mitt Romney during his 2012 presidential campaign, Grenell was the first openly gay spokesman for a Republican presidential candidate.
“She [Brzezinski] will probably be given a pass, despite their terrible ratings,” Trump said in his tweet. “Congratulations to @RichardGrenell, our great Ambassador to Germany, for having the courage to take this horrible issue on!”
Brzezinski was not on Morning Joe Thursday. The network said her absence was due to “a long-planned family event.”
