Meghan McCain Says ‘ABC Holds a Higher Standard to Their Employees’ Than the White House (Video)
On Wednesday, “The View” co-host Meghan McCain defended ABC’s decision to cancel “Roseanne,” saying the network has a “higher standard” for its employees than the Trump administration.
“First of all, I would like to say that what she said was blatantly, patently the definition of racism,” McCain said. “I have been so disheartened by what’s acceptable in the world right now, what’s acceptable in the White House. And it’s refreshing to see someone take a stand and say, ‘Np. Not at ABC, not at this company. This is not acceptable rhetoric.'”
“And I think it’s interesting that ABC holds a higher standard to their employees than, apparently, the White House does,” she added. (ABC is also home to the talk show.)
Also Read: Roseanne Barr Denies She's Racist, Calls Valerie Jarrett Tweet a 'Stupid Joke'
Co-host Sunny Hostin pointed out that while Roseanne Barr said Wednesday that she has a history of fighting for civil rights and minorities, “she has a history of tweeting things that are inappropriate.”
“This is not about being a conservative, OK?” McCain added. “This is about you being a racist!”
On Tuesday, Barr compared former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett to an ape, tweeting “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.” The tweet provoked intense backlash and calls to cancel her hit sitcom, which happened just hours later.
Also Read: Disney-ABC Chief Ben Sherwood 'So Sorry' for 'Roseanne' Staff After Abrupt Cancellation
“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said in a statement announcing the cancellation. Disney president Bob Iger tweeted soon after that “there was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.”
“Roseanne” reruns were subsequently removed from streaming platforms and cable syndicators, and ICM Partners dropped Barr as a client. She later apologized, but said the tweet happened while she was under the influence of Ambien and has since insisted she is not a racist.
Watch the full video above.
Related stories from TheWrap:
That 'Roseanne'-Sized Hole in the Fall Schedule: Here's What ABC Should Do (Commentary)
'Roseanne' Writers Don't Know If They'll Get Severance Pay After ABC Cancellation
Flashback: Bill Cosby and Roseanne Had TV's Top-Rated Shows for 2 Straight Years in Late '80s
Trump Scolds Disney CEO Bob Iger Over Roseanne Mess: Where's My Apology?
