Hugh Hewitt apologizes for saying that Joe Biden 'transgendered into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez'
MSNBC contributor and radio host Hugh Hewitt is apologizing for his “bad word choice” after joking that Joe Biden has “gone through the time machine and transgendered into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.”
While discussing the democratic congresswoman’s recent comments on climate change, where she referred to the issue as “our World War II,” the host of Salem Radio Network’s The Hugh Hewitt Show began to sarcastically praise Ocasio-Cortez on her “youthful energy” and “confident lack of knowledge,” before going on to say that she might even fill the “Biden gap.”
“She’s just wonderful. She’s my favorite person in America,” Hewitt said during an on-air clip obtained by Media Matters. “Joe Biden has actually gone through the time machine and transgendered into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This was Joe Biden. She’s going to fill the Biden gap. The Biden gap concerned me. Some day Joe will leave the public stage and we will not have people who will say outlandish things. But now the Biden gap is filled.”
The comment sparked outrage on Twitter, with people calling Hewitt out for the offensive remark — especially considering that it had been made on the same day that the Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s transgender military ban. Even after the radio host issued an apology, people have stated that they aren’t willing to accept it.
Apologies. Bad word choice on a sensitive subject. https://t.co/xc2wmICeVK
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) January 22, 2019
Apology NOT ACCEPTED. This isn’t the first time you’ve said something this disgusting. Shame on @MSNBC for giving him air time.
— Eileen Andes (@OneoftheGracers) January 23, 2019
@msnbc you don't make a bad word choice on a day where major news was made on the subject. This was deliberate and this faux apology only makes it worse. Since when is it important to put someone like this on the air? I'm sure we'll be watching the Covington kid ad nauseam
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) January 23, 2019
Sorry Hugh, but you don't get off the hook with saying it was a bad word choice. You hold yourself up as the intellectual, the smartest guy in the room. You said it. You meant it and you got your ass burned for it. Now just own it and piss off.
— Patrick Ford (@GaPony) January 23, 2019
The parent of a transgender child also replied to further address the issue of Hewitt misusing the term.
Thanks for acknowledging this mean spirited comment Hugh. I am the parent of a Transgendered child. I can assure you that neither Joe Biden, nor AOC, is at risk of being beaten, raped, killed or discrimated against! (by the highest court in the land no less) Be more aware!
— Malcolm MacGregor (@attymal) January 23, 2019
Even some fans of Hewitt have expressed their disappointment in the political commentator, who they felt is “usually reasonable.”
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