BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN distanced itself from anchor Jemele Hill’s tweets one day after she called President Donald Trump “a white supremacist” and “a bigot.”
“The comments on Twitter from Jemele Hill regarding the president do not represent the position of ESPN,” the network tweeted Tuesday from its public relations department’s account. “We have addressed this with Jemele and she recognizes her actions were inappropriate.”
On Monday night, in a series of exchanges with other Twitter users, Hill said, “Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists.”
Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
Hill, a co-host of the 6 p.m. broadcast of “SportsCenter,” also added that “Trump is the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime. His rise is a direct result of white supremacy. Period.”
Trump is the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime. His rise is a direct result of white supremacy. Period.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
In another tweet, she said, “Donald Trump is a bigot,” and went on to criticize his supporters, adding “The height of white privilege is being able to ignore his white supremacy, because it’s of no threat to you. Well, it’s a threat to me.”
He is unqualified and unfit to be president. He is not a leader. And if he were not white, he never would have been elected
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 12, 2017
And it's funny how you cling to Benghazi but I bet you didn't give one thought to what Trump said about the Central Park 5
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 12, 2017
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during a news conference on Wednesday that she was unsure whether the president was aware of Hill’s comments.
“But I think that’s one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make, and certainly something that I think is a fire-able offense by ESPN,” Sanders said.
Disney-owned ESPN did not elaborate on any possible punishment for Hill, and she was on Tuesday evening’s “SportsCenter” broadcast as usual.
While many Twitter users called for Hill to be fired, unemployed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who remains unsigned after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers and has received plenty of criticism — and support — after kneeling during the national anthem before games last season to protest police brutality, expressed his support for Hill, tweeting “We are with you @jemelehill.”
We are with you @jemelehill ✊🏾
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 13, 2017
Hill gained support from some of her colleagues and others in the sports world.
Y'all mad at @jemelehill but white supremacist think trump is a white supremacist...... I'm just saying 🤷🏾♂️
— Terrance Knighton (@MisterRoast98) September 13, 2017
I'm glad to see Black men and White folks standing up for Jemele Hill. It should always be this way. Keep going!
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) September 13, 2017
At the same time, Hill’s controversial remarks spurred debate and some people didn’t agree with ESPN’s lack of discipline.
Asking all followers Please RT this Tweet@espn - @jemelehill racist's insults aimed at OUR @POTUS will not be tolerated!#BoycottESPN pic.twitter.com/ZRjfZnD6dg
— Tom Kennedy 🇺🇸 (@ThomasPKennedy3) September 13, 2017
Contributing: Madeline Kenney