Fox host Bill O’Reilly says he can’t listen to Rep. Maxine Waters, not because of her views, but because of her hair.
During a segment on Fox and Friends covering Waters’ speech to Congress in speaking out against President Donald Trump, O’Reilly said, “I didn’t hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James, it’s the same wig.”
African-American woman in Congress speaks up against the president, Bill O’Reilly says he won’t listen because of her hair. pic.twitter.com/GVOkZNBNX9
— Media Matters (@mmfa) March 28, 2017
Fellow host Ainsley Earhardt tried to come to Waters’ defense, saying, “No. OK, I’ve got to defend her on that. I have to defend her on that. She a — you can’t go after a woman’s looks. I think she’s very attractive.”
But O’Reilly held firm, saying, “I love James Brown, but it’s the same hair, James Brown — alright, the godfather of soul — had.”
He then added, “Whatever it is, I just couldn’t get by it.”
Update:
Bill O’Reilly has released the following statement in response to his comments:
“As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs. I said that again today on Fox & Friends calling her ‘old school.’ Unfortunately, I also made a jest about her hair which was dumb. I apologize.”