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Talkin' turkey.

Bill O’Reilly apologizes to Rep. Waters for his “jest about her hair,” wants to talk about political correctness

O'Reilly backtracks on his racist hair comments, but then advertises "big p.c. segment" on his show

Bill O’Reilly became the number one trending topic on Twitter Tuesday, following an appearance on “Fox & Friends” where he openly mocked Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. for her hair. He’s since issued a statement of apology to CNN.

“As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs,” he said. “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.”

The backlash to O’Reilly’s comments have been fervent since he said this morning that he was distracted by Waters’ “James Brown wig.” One Twitter user called his words “disgusting, degrading, and patronizing.” But Media Matters reminded people that Waters has experienced similar racially-coded insults from Fox News before.

Nothing new from Fox News, here is another Fox host telling Maxine Waters to "step away from the crack pipe" pic.twitter.com/p6R4SMrRD2

— Media Matters (@mmfa) March 28, 2017

In 2012, Fox News host Eric Bolling literally said Waters needed to “step away from the crack pipe” to dismiss comments she made against the GOP.

So, the real question is, will Fox News, the only outlet President Donald Trump’s endorses as real news, allow this form of commentary to air without repercussion?

MSNBC correspondent Joy Reid asked the same thing.

Does @FoxNews have a standards and practices department? Because there's not a news organization I know of where this could fly. https://t.co/OPGj6Y09dF

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 28, 2017

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz called for O’Reilly’s removal.

Dear @FoxNews: Bill O'Reily is racist and should be removed from your airwaves. Vile. https://t.co/YMyKa59I18

— Jordan Horowitz (@jehorowitz) March 28, 2017

O’Reilly’s amends did not last long. Less than an hour after O’Reilly issued his apology, he used the social media momentum to advertise a “big political correctness segment” on his show tonight.

Big political correctness segment on The Factor tonight. Have you had enough? Check us out, you won’t be disappointed. –BO’R

— Bill O'Reilly (@oreillyfactor) March 28, 2017

http://www.salon.com/2017/03/28/bill-oreilly-apologizes-to-rep-waters-for-his-jest-about-her-hair-wants-to-talk-about-political-correctness/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter