MSNBC ‘the real bigots,’ says lawmaker

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) on Thursday called people at MSNBC “bigots” in response to a tweet that knocked the GOP.

MSNBC on Thursday apologized for insinuating the “right wing” would hate a new Cheerios ad that features a biracial family.

Huelskamp, the father of four adopted children, said his “right-wing” children loved the new commercial that is set to air during the Super Bowl. His two daughters are from Haiti, and his two sons are from the United States.

It’s official–my ‘right-wing’ kids like the ad @MSNBC I think we know who the real bigots are. http://t.co/j4vMCOIbCS pic.twitter.com/mi5cGyc1kP

— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) January 30, 2014

The Republican congressman took a shot at the network earlier in the day, saying it is not the first time MSNBC has shown its “racial issues.”

.@MSNBC this isn’t the 1st time you’ve shown your racial issues. Looks like the real Bigots just stood up. #TCOT #LiesYouTell

— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) January 30, 2014

He appeared to be alluding to MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry, who apologized in December after coming under fire for mocking a picture of Mitt Romney’s adopted grandson, who is African-American.

MSNBC immediately deleted the tweet Wednesday night and issued an apology. On Thursday, the network issued a second apology after the Republican National Committee threatened to bar its staff from appearing on the network.

“Maybe the rightwing will hate it, but everyone else will go awww: the adorable new #Cheerios ad w/ biracial family,” the network’s initial tweet read.

The network included a link to a report about how a similar commercial stoked controversy in the past.