'You guys make me feel like fighting back': Roseanne Barr returns to Twitter after quitting
Roseanne Barr's exit from Twitter was brief - almost imperceptibly brief.
On Tuesday, Roseanne Barr had vowed to quit Twitter after apologizing for racist remarks she made towards Valerie Jarrett, a former White House adviser under President Barack Obama.
In the early morning tweet, which has since been deleted, she wrote “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”
As a result of her comments, ABC canceled the "Roseanne" reboot, Barr issued an apology and said she would be leaving Twitter.
I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
However, the actress returned to the platform just hours later.
On Tuesday night, she continued her apology spree, sending one directly to Jarrett, who said this is a "teaching moment" during an MSNBC appearance. She also asked her fans to stop defending her actions.
I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
RELATED: John Lewis, celebs react as ABC cancels 'Roseanne'
Barr even took a moment to explain why she posted the offensive comments. In another now-deleted tweet, she said she was "Ambien tweeting." Ambien is a brand name for the drug zolpidem, which is prescribed by a doctor to treat insomnia. The drug maker Sanofi responded by saying, "while all pharmaceutical treatments have side effects, racism is not a known side effect of any Sanofi medication."
By Wednesday afternoon, Barr had begun retweeting her supporters, including President Donald Trump, who seemingly disagreed with ABC's decision. She said she was not a racist and retweeted those who agreed and thought she simply made a mistake.
I'm not a racist, I never was & I never will be. One stupid joke in a lifetime of fighting 4 civil rights 4 all minorities, against networks, studios, at the expense of my nervous system/family/wealth will NEVER b taken from me.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018
.@ABCNetwork
— £ynne🕊🌸 (@poconomtn) May 30, 2018
Im confused. Roseannes show was a family show. Her actions took place outside of her show. Joy Behar & Jimmy Kimmel do it ON their shows which reflects badly on your network yet you keep them. Don't pretend this isnt political
Interesting how every other element of the show, and the diverse family in the show, is being ignored: transgender son, African-American grandchild, African-American mother in the military, feminist sister, etc. https://t.co/ppcBUS6HCP
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 30, 2018
— Dave White (@Dave_White67) May 30, 2018
Barr said she was now considering "fighting back."
you guys make me feel like fighting back. I will examine all of my options carefully and get back to U.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018
RELATED: 'Roseanne' reboot canceled: 'I'm not a racist,' Barr says in tweet
About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
