Conservative firebrand and Fox Nation host Tomi Lahren on Thursday apologized for a comment about Sen. Kamala Harris’ personal life that she live-tweeted during Wednesday’s Democratic primary debate.
Instead of sticking to the debate like many media personalities, Lahren asked Harris a very personal question: “Kamala did you fight for ideals or did you sleep your way to the top with Willie Brown??”
After widespread criticism for stepping over the line, Lahren backtracked by saying, “I apologize for my comment on Kamala’s personal relationship. It was the wrong choice of words. There are many other things to take her to task for and I will stick to those.”
While her tweet was quickly and widely condemned — even by her own colleagues — Lahren initially doubled down Wednesday night, tweeting a link to a USA Today story about how Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco, had said he dated Harris and appointed her to positions two decades ago.
“I didn’t make this up. Willie Brown admitted it. The truth hurts,” Lahren said.
“Do you have any idea how damaging this is to women who’ve actually been sexually harassed, assaulted or demeaned in the workplace?” asked Fox Nation’s Britt McHenry. “How much this weakens our own gender, regardless of partisanship. My goodness.”
McHenry is at the center of a story about workplace harassment herself. She was recently involved in an investigation at Fox that resulted from her former co-host Tyrus sending her lewd text messages.
Fox News’ Kat Timpf also reacted to Lahren’s tweet, writing: “I am curious to know what you think bringing a woman’s personal/sexual life into this accomplishes. Men do that to us enough as it is. I’m honestly asking.”
The left-wing also took offense at Lahren’s personal jab. The Young Turks’ John Iadarola told her the tweet was “gross.” Tom Arnold made his response to the 26-year-old political commentator: “You still live with your parents. I’m grossed out thinking who you sleep with for free room and board every night.”
Asked for a comment, a Fox News spokesperson pointed TheWrap to Lahren’s apology tweet.