‘Dancing with the Stars’ Host Tom Bergeron Reacts to Sean Spicer Casting: “We Can Agree to Disagree”

It looks like viewers weren’t the only ones surprised to see Sean Spicer‘s name on the Dancing with the Stars Season 28 lineup. On Wednesday morning, shortly after ABC announced the full list of new competitors, DWTS host Tom Bergeron rebuked his own network for the decision to add Spicer, President Trump’s former White House press secretary. In a statement posted on Twitter, Bergeron insisted that he must “agree to disagree” about Spicer’s casting, as he was hoping Season 28 “would be a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate.” Wishful thinking, Bergeron.

Spicer’s Dancing with the Stars journey began this morning, when the Season 28 contestants were announced live on Good Morning America. Almost immediately, fans — as well as stars like Yvette Nicole Brown and Chelsea Peretti — began to speak out against Spicer’s casting, and Bergeron wasn’t far behind. Shortly before noon, the longtime DWTS host tweeted a statement about ABC’s decision. “A few months ago, during a lunch with DWTS‘ new Executive Producer, I offered suggestions for Season 28,” he wrote. “Chief among them was my hope that DWTS, in its return following an unprecedented year-long hiatus, would be a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations.”

“Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often say in Hollywood, “go in a different direction,” Bergeron continued. While he never mentioned Spicer by name, the subtext was clear. “It is the prerogative of the producers, in partnership with the network, to make whatever decisions they feel are in the best long term interests of the franchise,” said the TV personality. “We can agree to disagree, as we do now, but ultimately it’s their call.”

When reached for comment, DWTS executive producer Andrew Llinares told Decider, “We’ve got a great and diverse cast. We are excited about this season.”

Spicer may be the most controversial DWTS Season 28 contestant, but he’s by no means the only big name. Queer Eye‘s Karamo Brown, The Bachelorette Hannah Brown (lots of Browns this season), Lamar Odom, James Van Der Beek, and singer Lauren Alaina will also be competing this fall, so viewers are in for quite a show.

Dancing with the Stars Season 28 premieres Monday, September 16 at 8/7c on ABC.

UPDATED 8/22/19 7:57 AM ET: This article has been updated to include a statement from Dancing with the Stars.

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