Fox News host Bill O'Reilly has apologised after coming under fire for mocking a black congresswoman's looks, admitting what he said was "dumb".
On the Fox & Friends show, O'Reilly reacted to a clip of Maxine Waters delivering a speech by joking about her appearance and dismissing her impassioned plea for true patriotism.
"I didn't hear a word she said, I was looking at the James Brown wig," said O'Reilly.
"Do we have a picture of James Brown? It’s the same wig."
The remarks were widely denounced as both racist and sexist and caused O'Reilly's name to trend on Twitter.
"As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs," O'Reilly later said in a statement.
"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 apologise."
When O'Reilly initially made the comments, Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade laughed heartily and exclaimed the wig insult was "true".
Co-host Ainsley Earhardt, however, immediately admonished the joke, saying "You can't go after a woman's looks. I think she's very attractive."
Fox & Friends has recently been personally promoted by President Donald Trump himself on Twitter.
Newshub.
