Stephen Colbert Responds to Asian Tweet Backlash: ‘I Share Your Rage’

Media Alley

The Comedy Central host defends himself from #cancelcolbert backlash

Stephen Colbert responded to the furor on Twitter after a controversial tweet by @ColbertReport Thursday night spawned outrage and a trending #CancelColbert hashtag.

“#CancelColbert – I agree!” Colbert tweeted just after Midnight on Thursday. “Just saw @ColbertReport tweet. I share your rage. Who is that, though? I’m @StephenAtHome”

The Comedy Central-controlled account, @ColbertReport, tweeted an out-of-context quote from Wednesday’s show late on Thursday afternoon.

“I am willing to show #Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever,” the account tweeted; it was later deleted but not before backlash brewed online.

Also read: Stephen Colbert Under Fire for ‘Ching Chong Ding Dong’ Asian Tweet

Colbert was originally riffing on Redskins owner Dan Snyder for announcing a foundation to help Native Americans during a segment on Wednesday’s show but Twitter users were incensed and began demanding the cancellation of the “Colbert Report.”

After deleting the tweet, Comedy Central went into full spin mode.

“For the record @ColbertReport is not controlled by Stephen Colbert or his show. He is @StephenAtHome Sorry for the confusion ,” Comedy Central tweeted.

“This is a Comedy Central account, with no oversight from Stephen/show. Here is quoted line in context http://on.cc.com/1dyeQri  ,” they later added.

Read Colbert and Comedy Central’s reaction to the controversy below:
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