Roseanne Barr on Tuesday attacked former President Obama White House adviser Valerie Jarrett in a since deleted tweet alleging connections to the Muslim Brotherhood that is being called racist by many.
In the tweet, the ABC star of her self-titled show attacked Jarrett, connecting her to the Islamist organization Muslim Brotherhood and the movie Planet of the Apes.
“Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj,” Barr wrote, using Jarrett’s initials while replying to a tweet which accused Jarrett of helping to cover up alleged misdeeds for the Obama administration.
When users pointed out that the tweet seemed racist, Barr replied, “Muslims r NOT a race.”
Barr, an outspoken supporter of President Trump, later tweeted her first tweet was “a joke.”
Then, not long after that tweet, Barr issued an apology post: “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.”
Barr also said she is leaving Twitter.
A number of celebrities and politicians blasted Barr for the comment and demanded action from ABC.
“The comparison by Rosanne Barr on ABC of Former Obama aide, Valerie Jarrett to an APE is racist and inexcusable. ABC must take action NOW!,” Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted.
“I am repulsed that Valerie Jarret had that racist and bigoted ‘joke’ made at her expense and I am sickened that any Black or Muslim person has to keep hearing this sickness in 2018,” Patricia Arquette tweeted.
“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 tweeted.
“#FireRoseanne and fuck your nostalgia. Go work on Mad About You if you’re so damn nostalgic,” Billy Eichner tweeted.
Show writer and consulting producer Wanda Sykes, said on Tuesday she would not be returning for the second season after Barr’s tweet. “I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC,” she wrote.
Around 11 a.m., ABC announced the network cancelled the show.
Cast member Sara Gilbert also weighed in on the controversy.
“Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least,” she wrote.
Another tweet was sent, possibly as a response to those asking if she would quit the show.
“This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we’ve created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love— one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member,” she said via Twitter.
After it was announced ABC cancelled the show, cast member Emma Kenney tweeted: “I am hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed. The racist and distasteful comments from Roseanne are inexcusable.”
She then added, “As I called my manager to quit working on Roseanne, I found out the show got cancelled. I feel so empowered by @iamwandasykes , Channing Dungey and those at ABC standing up against abuse of power and lack of values. Bullies do not win. Ever.”
Cast member Michael Fishman called it one of the hardest days of his life, saying he felt awful for the rest of the cast and crew who gave the show all they had and were beloved for their efforts.
Barr’s ex-husband and former show star, Tom Arnold, also reacted to the news of the cancellation.
“Ton of respect for Bob Iger. Tough decision with financial consequences for his company but right for America….umm..now don’t bug Bob but maybe someone else find out if I’m still banned from all of @ABCNetwork for calling Roseanne Barr out first on her racist conspiracy tweets?” Arnold wrote.
Not long after the controversy unfolded, “Roseanne” was the No. 1 trend worldwide on Twitter.
Reps for ABC have not yet replied to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for comment.
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