Bill O'Reilly apologizes for comments about Rep. Maxine Waters' hair

Updated

On Tuesday, Fox News' 'Fox & Friends' aired part of Democratic Representative Maxine Waters' impassioned address about democracy and patriotism.

When asked to share his thoughts on the clip, Bill O'Reilly commented, "I didn't hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig."

Show co-host Ainsley Earhardt attempted to turn the situation around, noting, "You can't go after a woman's looks. I think she's very attractive."

O'Reilly's immediate responses included, "I didn't say she wasn't attractive," "I love James Brown, but it's the same hair...," and, "Whatever it is, I just couldn't get by it."

However, soon after, he switched to a friendlier approach. O'Reilly said of Waters, "She is a sincere individual. Whatever she said, she believes..."

In the speech O'Reilly missed, which was given on Monday on the floor of the House of Representatives, Waters discussed African-Americans' opposition to President Trump.

She said, in part, "Despite the fact that America has not always been there for us, we've always been there for America ... When we fight against this president, and we point out how dangerous he is for this society and for this country, we're fighting for the democracy. We're fighting for America. We're saying to those who say they're patriotic but they've turned a blind eye to the destruction that he's about to cause this country, 'You're not nearly as patriotic as we are.'"

O'Reilly issued an apology for his remarks later on Tuesday.

"As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs. I said that again today on 'Fox and Friends,' calling her 'old school,' " said O'Reilly in a statement. "Unfortunately, I also made a jest about her hair, which was dumb. I apologize."

AOL contributed to this report

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