Roseanne Barr is under fire today for a series of tweets over the last day, including one that many are calling racist. In the now-deleted tweet Barr said:
“Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”
In an apology tweet, Barr confirmed that the “vj” she was referring to was former senior advisor to Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett.
I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
Barr also heavily criticized Chelsea Clinton in a series of tweets that remain on her account (and in several retweets).
Chelsea Soros Clinton
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
Good morning Roseanne – my given middle name is Victoria. I imagine George Soros’s nephews are lovely people. I’m just not married to one. I am grateful for the important work @OpenSociety does in the world. Have a great day! https://t.co/mXokiTEwN7
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 29, 2018
CORRECTION: CHELSEA CLINTON IS NOT MARRIED TO A SOROS NEPHEW. HER HUSBAND IS THE SON OF A CORRUPT SENATOR, SO SORRY!: https://t.co/FuEVnmnxu4
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
Roseanne Barr Goes on Wild (And Racist) Tweetstorm About Clintons, George Soros, Chris Cillizza https://t.co/mRhFgBZq0R pic.twitter.com/EBYB7R3SIx
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) May 29, 2018
Now some are questioning whether ABC should take action against the star of one of their biggest shows.
Hey @ABC, Roseanne Barr compared Valerie Jarrett to an ape. There is no apology she can make that justifies @ABC turning a blind eye to this bigotry by airing another second of her show.
Even in the Age of Trump, there are red lines that can never be crossed. This is one.— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 29, 2018
What is your responsibility as a corporation and employer in response to this corrosive, repulsive public commentary by one of your highest profile employees?
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) May 29, 2018
Let Roseanne trend for all of her bigotry, racism and hatred.
Let @ABC see her trending for her bigotry, racism and hatred.
Let @Disney see her trending for her bigotry, racism and hatred.
Let her trend all day.
Trend, @therealroseanne, trend.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) May 29, 2018
CNN’s Brian Stelter and Frank Pallotta say:
“In the past, ABC executives have privately said that they hold their noses when Barr tweets. They know some of her posts have been problematic — full of pro-Trump conspiracy theories that mislead her fans.
The executives want Barr to focus on her show. But they seem to take the position that there’s no controlling Barr, and that’s what makes her the successful comic she is.
ABC employees shared these views on condition of anonymity earlier this year, before the current Twitter controversy.”
In this case though, some believe ABC did get involved…
This looks like a network forced apology. ABC is desperately trying to save its biggest show. https://t.co/0MCuFsNorE
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) May 29, 2018
Others are asking Twitter to also take action.
Why hasn't @Twitter banned Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) for her targeted harassment? Why is it okay for her to spew a racist, bigoted, anti-muslim Tweet at Valerie Jarrett? Is Twitter okay with a white woman calling a black woman an "ape" and "terrorist."#SuspendRoseanneNow
— James Kosur (@JamesKosur) May 29, 2018
Twitter may not have to do anything, Roseanne also tweeted this….
I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
As of this story though her account is still active.