Bill O’Reilly said on Tuesday that he was distracted by the hair of the Rep. Maxine Waters’, comparing it to the “wig of James Brown.”
During Fox & Friends, O’Reilly watched a video of Waters, a black Democrat from California, and saying on the House floor that the president’s criticism was patriotic.
Maxine Waters said on the floor, “We are fighting against this president and we point out how dangerous he is.” “We’re fighting for America and we’re fighting for democracy. We are saying to those who say they are patriotic, but they turn a blind eye to the devastation he is about to cause to this country. You’re not nearly as patriotic as we are.”
O’Reilly was asked about his thoughts on Waters’ comments. He instead discussed her appearance.
“I did not hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown’s wig,” he said, referring to the end of the soul singer.
While two of Fox & Friends co-hosts joined in on O’Reilly’s comments, Ainsley Earnhardt cut in to say that she had to defend Waters.
She said, “You can’t go after a woman’s looks.” “I think she is very attractive.”
“I didn’t say she wasn’t attractive… I love James Brown, but they are the same hair,” O’Reilly replied.
He later went to Waters, who has been to invite in Congress since 1991 on his own show.
By Tuesday afternoon, O’Reilly apologized for his remarks.
He said in a statement, “As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in his convictions.”
She tweeted Tuesday night:
“I’m a strong black woman. I can’t be intimidated, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I am a strong black woman. I cannot be intimidated, and I'm not going anywhere. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) March 29, 2017