The National Association of Black Journalists issued a statement on Wednesday supporting ESPN’s Jemele Hill after she issued a series of tweets attacking President Trump, calling him a “white Supremacist” and “unqualified and unfit to be president,” citing her First Amendment rights to do so.
Jemele Hill is an award-winning, veteran journalist who has distinguished herself for having insightful opinions and perspectives on a variety of topics. Having been successful along those lines for 20 years, she has been able to connect with viewers on ESPN as well as on various social media platforms.
That withstanding, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) supports Hill’s First Amendment rights on all matters of discussion, within and outside the world of sports, as they do not impinge on her duties as a host and commentator.
This is some of what Hill had to say about Trump:
Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
He has surrounded himself with white supremacists — no they are not "alt right" — and you want me to believe he isn't a white supremacist?
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
He is unqualified and unfit to be president. He is not a leader. And if he were not white, he never would have been elected
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 12, 2017
Hill’s tweets forced ESPN to issue the following statement:
ESPN Statement on Jemele Hill: pic.twitter.com/3kfexjx9zQ
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 12, 2017
Hill responded saying that she regretted painting ESPN in an “unfair light.”
So, to address the elephant in the room … #Facts pic.twitter.com/RTrIDD87ut
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 14, 2017
It’s doubtful Hill will apologize to Trump for her remarks, and ESPN has made it clear that they are satisfied with her apology and that no further action is necessary on their part.
This is another black eye for ESPN, which has seen its profits plunge as viewers have decided that sports aren’t a necessity, especially when coverage is mixed with a large dose of politics, as has been the case lately at the network.
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