MSNBC president Phil Griffin on Thursday apologized for the network’s offensive tweet aimed at the GOP and said he had fired the staffer responsible.
Griffin said he personally apologized to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus after the chairman threatened a boycott of the network until he received an apology.
“The tweet last night was outrageous and unacceptable,” read the statement from Griffin shown on the network Thursday afternoon. “We immediately acknowledged that it was offensive and wrong, apologized, and deleted it. We have dismissed the person responsible for the tweet.”
{mosads}He added: “I personally apologize to Mr. Priebus and to everyone offended. At MSNBC, we believe in passionate strong debate about the issues and we invite voices form all sides to participate. That will never change.”
Priebus had written a memo banning all RNC staff from appearing on the network until Griffin apologized. Priebus said he is asking all Republican officials to follow his lead.
“Until you personally and publicly apologize for this behavior, I have banned all RNC staff from appearing on, in association with, or booking any RNC surrogates on MSNBC,” Priebus said in a letter to Griffin.
MSNBC tweeted Wednesday night that the political right might hate a new Cheerios ad that features a biracial family, but the rest of the country would love it.